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Riyadh: In a country where there are no movie theatres and residents watch films either on television or DVDs or in theatres in neighbouring countries whey they travel, Saudi film industry has started to grow.
In an unprecedented response from people associated with Saudi film industry, still in its nascent stage, scores of people working in the cinema sector, met with a delegation from Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (Tecom), which visited the kingdom recently.
It was confirmed that several Saudi filmmakers will take part in the first ever Gulf Film Festival (GFF) with at least a dozen entries.
Speaking to Gulf News, Dr Abu Bakr Ahmad Baqadir, undersecretary for international cultural relations at the Ministry of Culture and Information, said Saudi Arabia's participation in the regional and international film festivals has given an impetus for Saudi filmmakers to come out with good films and make a start in this highly competitive field.
"The ministry participated in as many as 25 international and regional film events last year. These events also included Saudi Cultural Weeks held in Russia, Turkey and Algeria. At least 25 Saudi film works were screened during these events," he said, adding several filmmakers and artists from various regions of the kingdom took part in the events.
The Dubai festival, which will be held from April 13 to 18, aims to develop the local and regional film industry by creating new avenues for filmmakers to screen their projects.
GFF, a non-profit cultural event to be organised by Tecom, is holding competition for feature films, short films, documentary films and students' work.
A Tecom delegation made a whirlwind tour of the Gulf states to have a direct interaction with leading filmmakers and those working with the industry to strengthen existing cooperation. It's mission also included ensuring broader participation of the film industry in those countries.
The delegation met with more than 30 film directors and actors during their stop in Riyadh.
Their meeting also included prominent media figures in the kingdom. More than 60 film personalities took part in the meeting in Dammam.
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