The film industry in the Gulf faces permanent constraints, especially in Saudi Arabia, said Mamdouh Salem, filmmaker and CEO of Rowad Media at the opening of the second GCC Film Festival in Kuwait on Sunday.
There is an urgent need to address the rapid developments in the world of cinema, and to discuss the key challenges facing cinema in the Gulf, he said. Problems with financing and distribution, and the preparation of the necessary cadres are among those challenges.
“We also need to look seriously for answers to what we are going to face in future. The film industry should focus on all these things and therefore we should share our experience, our contributions and achievements,” he added.
The festival runs until May 11 and aims to support the infrastructure of the Arab film industry and to enhance technical communication on a regional and global level. The festival confirms the importance of cinema in the added diversity of culture of the region, it maintains the lofty social values of society in the GCC countries and aims to deepen a sense of prestige and cinemas, arts and cultures associated with the impact time in the social life of the region.
Salem said a number of prominent Saudi filmmakers in the Saudi film industry, have contributed to the success of Saudi films and have taken part in a lot of film festivals.
This non-profit festival is organized in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States.
