DHAHRAN: The partnership between the British Council and the Saudi Cinema Association this week for the 10th edition of the Saudi Film Festival will help boost the industry, showcase emerging talent, and foster cultural exchange, say officials and creatives.

The event at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran, began on May 2 and concludes on Thursday.

For the occasion, Studio Ulster and the SCA offered a training program to empower Saudi Arabia filmmakers with cutting-edge animation skills. The program commenced online and continued during the festival.

As part of the festival’s program, the British Council showcased a curated selection of UK short films, providing a platform for filmmakers to engage with Saudi Arabia audiences and forge meaningful connections.

Furthering this initiative was a series of masterclasses hosted by animation legends from Blue Zoo Productions, who offered insights into the nuances of building a thriving animation industry within the cultural framework of the country.

“We believe in the power of the arts to drive socio-economic development and are committed to fostering long-term partnerships that empower artists and enrich communities,” Amany Abouzeid, regional arts director of British Council MENA, said of the festival’s role in elevating the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

UK-based film producer Tony Humphreys, who came from London to attend the event, had high hopes for the week.

“I’m a producer and I’m also a consultant over here at the moment in the Saudi Film Festival to help try and link Saudi businesses and Saudi creatives with UK businesses and UK creatives,” Humphreys told Arab News.

The experience exceeded his expectations.

“I’ve met lots of very interesting people; lots of energy, lots of desire to do more and succeed creatively and lots of collaboration potential between our two nations,” he said.

“I’ve seen several of the programs, particularly the short film programs, I think there’s been a really interesting mix across all sorts of storytelling; some more traditional, some quite challenging in terms of themes and content. I think there’s a real vibe and a positive sort of drive of wanting to take the industry further very quickly.”

Ahmed Al-Mulla, who founded the SCA, said: “Our filmmakers were dreamers; they made their films underground and then went outside the country to screen them … Now, things changed in the blink of an eye.”

DUBAI: The 13-year-old Saudi social-media personality, host of the “Rateel Alpha Talk” podcast, recently topped the ranks of content creators born in the Kingdom on the US site Famous Birthdays. Here, she talks fashion, time management and more.  

Best fashion trend of 2024?  

Denim tops. I think they can get styled very easily and they look casual and nice. 

 

 

 

 

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Worst fashion trend of 2024? 

Maxi shorts. They’re not really my style. I tried them, but I didn’t really like them. Also, I love animals, so anything leather — I don’t like harming animals to create fur and exotic skins for clothes. The fake ones are OK. 

Best fashion accessory for any outfit? 

Confidence. It’s the best accessory. And a smile! If you’re in an outfit and you’re not confident in it, it’s not going to look as nice.  

Worst fashion accessory? 

I’d say anything that it’s difficult to move in or breathe in. I would much rather be comfortable. 

Best hairstyle for you?  

I love many hairstyles, but it’s probably when I keep it plain and keep my hair down. I have curly hair and I like keeping my curls natural. 

 

 

 

 

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Worst hairstyle you’ve ever had? 

A high,slicked-back bun. Generally, this hairstyle looks so good, but it looks bad on me. It makes me look bald. It is very trendy but you have to have the right face shape for it. 

Best way to deal with exam stress? 

Stay focused on what you can control. I don’t stress too much. I try not to focus on the time. I just do my thing and finish it. I avoid taking lots of breaks, because if I do that I get lazy and don’t continue. I like to have all my tools in front of me, too, so I don’t need to go get them.  

Worst distraction when trying to study? 

My phone. I get distracted by social media. I try to control it, but my mom takes my phone away to help me when I study, because sometimes I can’t properly focus.  

Best way to balance work and play? 

Have a stable routine. If you don’t, then everything will be crazy and messed up. It can be hard. I just filmed my podcast yesterday. Seventh grade is, like, really hard, so I have to focus, then I have to film content. It’s easier when I have a good, stable routine. 

Best compliment you’ve received? 

I like it when someone compliments my personality over my looks — because you didn’t do anything to get your looks, but your personality is (unique). I like it when they tell me I’m “such a vibe.” It makes me so happy knowing I have a fun personality. 

 

 

 

 

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Worst compliment you’ve received? 

I hate when people tell me I’m old for my age. I think they just live in a different generation.. People think that, for example, skincare… I know there are some products you shouldn’t use until you’re older or have more mature skin, but you can start skincare from any age with a cleanser and a moisturizer. Some (young people) really struggle with their skin and then some adults make it harder for them. 

Best way to start your day? 

I like to have something exciting going on in the week that I can remind myself about. So like, I get done with the boring stuff and then I have fun things to look forward to.  

Worst way to start your day?  

Being negative in the morning. If you start off positive, your whole day will be positive.  

App you can’t live without? 

I have a lot of apps, but the best one isn’t really an app — just my brain. My imagination is an app for me. I could live with just my brain: I could watch a movie in my head. I can sit down and think of movies in my head and just imagine everything. My head is like a phone.  

Worst app?  

It’s not really the ‘worst’ app, but I feel like WhatsApp is really for older people. I only use it to communicate with my mom. Most people my age communicate on Snapchat and Instagram. So it’s not a bad app, I just don’t use it and I don’t really like it. 

Best advice you’ve ever received?  

“Dream big and don’t let anyone stop you from dreaming.” And another thing my mom told me is that just because something is trending doesn’t mean you have to like it. Just follow what you love. You don’t need to follow other people. 

 

 

 

 

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Worst advice you’ve ever received?  

“Follow the crowd.” The best way to live life is to be yourself. Don’t be afraid to stand out.