Ithra Film Production launches movie fund for international directors

Majed Samman is the head of performing arts and cinema at Ithra. (Arab News/ Ammar Abd Rabbo)
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Updated 24 May 2023
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Ithra Film Production launches movie fund for international directors

DUBAI: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) Film Productions has launched a new fund designed to attract international filmmakers to shoot fully financed movies in Saudi Arabia during the Cannes Film Festival.

Ithra Film initiative targets aim to fund up to five flicks a year. 

During a panel discussion, Majed Samman, head of performing arts and cinema at Ithra, said: “We invite international filmmakers to collaborate with filmmakers in the Kingdom and join us on our journey to accelerate talent and sector development in Saudi.

“By working with local crews, we hope to facilitate an organic process of knowledge transfer and cross-cultural exchange that would elevate the local industry and enrich the global cinematic landscape,” he added.

The deadline for Ithra’s open call for film proposals is Aug. 4. The projects will be selected by a panel of Arab filmmakers that are yet to be revealed.


Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair fronts Louis Vuitton campaign

Updated 25 February 2026
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Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair fronts Louis Vuitton campaign

DUBAI: Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair this week shared images from her latest campaign with French luxury label Louis Vuitton on Instagram.

Across the images, Al-Zuhair is pictured wearing several looks from the brand in beige, tan and brown tones.

In the first image she posted, she wore a coordinated outfit in a single shade of brown. The look included a long-sleeve top layered beneath a knee-length outer piece with wide sleeves, secured at the waist with a matching fabric belt, paired with loose, wide-leg trousers in the same tone.

Another outfit featured a long-sleeve printed top with a fitted silhouette and an asymmetric tie detail at the side, styled with slim brown trousers and a matching headscarf.

She was also seen in an ensemble comprising a long, neutral-toned inner garment worn beneath a loose, cape-style outer layer. The look was paired with matching trousers and finished with a structured Louis Vuitton top-handle bag in a metallic finish.

In a fourth look, Al-Zuhair wore a coordinated two-piece consisting of a long-sleeve blouse with decorative detailing across the chest, paired with high-waisted, wide-leg trousers in a similar tone.

This marks Al-Zuhair’s second campaign released during Ramadan. Earlier this month, she fronted a campaign for Italian luxury brand Loro Piana.

In images shared on the brand’s Instagram page, Al-Zuhair wears a floor-length olive-green dress featuring a V-neckline, defined waist seam, and fluid cape-style sleeves falling from the shoulders.

According to the brand’s caption, the Ramadan capsule highlights “intricate detailing and the beauty of simplicity,” presenting a wardrobe of comfortable silhouettes.

Shot in the warm, diffused light of a pottery artist’s studio, the campaign centered on elongated shapes, clean lines, and a muted palette of sage and sand tones.

Al-Zuhair, born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, has appeared on the runway for renowned fashion houses.

She has walked for Missoni, Maison Alaia, Brunello Cucinelli, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Giorgio Armani, Elie Saab and more.

In addition to her runway appearances, Al-Zuhair has featured in campaigns for brands including Prada, Chanel and Carolina Herrera.