Riyadh, December 16, 2024 – The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has concluded its successful participation in the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, held from December 5 to 14 in Historic Jeddah. With a strong and influential presence at the event, the Fund engaged filmmakers, industry leaders, and film enthusiasts from around the world. Through its dedicated pavilion, a series of engaging workshops, insightful panel discussions, and the high-profile Cultural Financing Reception, the CDF made a significant contribution to the festival’s objectives, helping to nurture and elevate Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning film sector.
One of the most notable highlights of the CDF’s participation was its sponsorship of the Red Sea Souk, a key platform for local and international filmmakers to connect with industry leaders and showcase their creative projects. This sponsorship marked the third consecutive year that the Fund has supported the festival, underscoring its ongoing commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that drive the sustainability and growth of the Kingdom's cultural and creative industries. By facilitating networking and collaboration, the CDF helped further establish Saudi Arabia’s position as an emerging hub for cinema in the region.
At the heart of the CDF’s activities was its pavilion at the Red Sea Souk, which welcomed a diverse array of visitors from across the globe. The pavilion showcased the Fund's role in supporting and financing cultural projects, with a special focus on film, offering financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of the creative sector. The CDF also led a workshop titled "Cultural Financing for the Film Industry," which highlighted the Fund's instrumental role in bolstering film projects across all stages of development. In addition, the Fund took part in a panel discussion titled "New Horizons: Collaborating with the Saudi Film Industry," which featured key players from the sector. The discussion explored the foundational aspects of Saudi cinema, focusing on the CDF’s contributions to its enhancement and the future of cinematic projects in the Kingdom.
The Cultural Financing Reception, held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a pivotal moment for the Fund, attracting over 200 local and international cultural creators. During the reception, the Fund signed eight credit facility agreements under its Cultural Financing program, committing over SAR 95 million to support initiatives across five key cultural sectors: museums, music, cultural festivals and events, culinary arts, and films. The event also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Red Sea Film Foundation, aimed at co-financing film projects, further strengthening the partnership between the two organizations. Additionally, the reception celebrated outstanding achievements in Below-the-Line (BTL) filmmaking, with four creative talents honored through the Studio Awards, a project supported by the Fund’s Studio Production Training (SPT) initiative.
The CDF’s participation in the festival was also enriched by collaborations with some of Saudi Arabia’s leading cultural figures. Saudi Chef Nawal Al-Khalawi curated a series of cultural tasting experiences inspired by Saudi culinary traditions, which were featured both at the Fund’s pavilion and during the Cultural Financing Reception. In addition, visual artist Lulwah Al-Hamoud contributed her artwork titled "Development," which was incorporated into commemorative gifts for event guests, symbolizing the Fund’s ongoing role in empowering the cultural sector. The Fund also collaborated with TeamLab Borderless Museum, offering guests an opportunity to experience immersive artistic tours of the museum’s light-based artworks, further showcasing the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a center of innovation in the arts.
These collaborative efforts highlight the CDF’s commitment to supporting creativity and establishing meaningful partnerships that elevate the impact of Saudi Arabia’s cultural creators. By providing financial support and fostering cross-industry collaborations, the CDF continues to play a crucial role in empowering cultural projects and helping local talent reach global audiences. Through its initiatives, the Fund is contributing to the realization of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to build a thriving, knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and creativity across all cultural sectors.
