Saudi fund boosts film financing at Cannes festival

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The Cultural Development Fund aims to be a leader in the Saudi film. (SPA)
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The Cultural Development Fund aims to be a leader in the Saudi film. (SPA)
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Updated 22 May 2024
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Saudi fund boosts film financing at Cannes festival

RIYADH: The Cultural Development Fund, a vital financial engine for Saudi Arabia’s culture sector, along with partners from the Kingdom’s film industry, are presenting film financing and investment opportunities at the 77th annual Cannes International Film Festival, held from May 14 to 25.

The fund is present at the festival for the third year, in line with its mission of nurturing the domestic film scene and strengthening its role as a key enabler of cultural growth.

The fund highlights its Film Sector Financing Program at the Saudi pavilion, led by the Film Commission. The program offers comprehensive financial packages that support the entire filmmaking process, from creation and production to distribution, for both local and foreign companies working on film and TV series in Saudi Arabia.

It also provides an opportunity for companies and investment funds to participate in the Kingdom’s film industry and contribute to its development.

Its participation in the Cannes event aligns with its continuous efforts to attract filmmakers and investment.

The fund aims to be a leader in the Saudi film industry and collaborates with other stakeholders to build a sustainable film sector that contributes to the national gross domestic product.

Established under the National Development Fund in 2021, the fund aims to invigorate Saudi Arabia’s cultural scene. By supporting a range of cultural endeavors and facilitating investment, the fund fosters a thriving domestic cultural sector, aligning with the National Culture Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.


KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

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KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah meets UN Yemen coordinator for aid reviews
  • German lawmakers praise KSrelief for humanitarian projects globally

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief held a briefing session at its headquarters in Riyadh on the UN’s 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview, which is a diagnosis of the support needed by communities in crisis across the world. 

The session was organized in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

The session included senior officials from KSrelief and the UN, as well as representatives from Saudi government agencies and nonprofit organizations. 

The participants discussed mechanisms for preparing the 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview and highlighted key differences from previous years.

The participants also addressed the need for funding in crisis-hit areas including Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Afghanistan.

These measures aim to strengthen focus on critical priorities, enhance the efficiency of humanitarian responses, support localization efforts, and promote work based on humanitarian principles.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of KSrelief, met with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Julien Harneis in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed relief and humanitarian affairs, as well as updates on projects in Yemen. Harneis praised the efforts provided by the Kingdom through KSrelief to support communities in Yemen. 

Separately, Al-Rabeeah also held a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed Belal, managing director of the UN Common Fund for Commodities, to discuss relief issues. 

Belal commended Saudi Arabia for assisting those affected around the world, highlighted the center’s strong international reputation. 

Meanwhile, a delegation from Germany’s parliament, headed by Alexander Radwan, a member of the nation’s foreign affairs committee, visited KSrelief’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the visit, the German lawmakers met with several KSrelief officials to discuss relief efforts.

The German officials praised KSrelief for planning and implementing relief projects worldwide, and highlighted the agency’s reputation globally in the field.