Saudi movie ‘The Journey’ wins best experimental film award at Dutch Septimius flick fest

Saudi movie ‘The Journey’ wins best experimental film award at Dutch Septimius flick fest
Saudi film 'The Journey' won Best Experimental Film award at Dutch film fest. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 June 2022

Saudi movie ‘The Journey’ wins best experimental film award at Dutch Septimius flick fest

Saudi movie ‘The Journey’ wins best experimental film award at Dutch Septimius flick fest
  • “The Journey,” becomes the first Saudi and Arab film to win an experimental-category gong at an international festival

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s movie entry in the Dutch Septimius film festival has won the award for best experimental flick.

“The Journey,” produced by Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK foundation, becomes the first Saudi and Arab film to win an experimental-category gong at an international festival.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the Septimius Awards ceremony held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ capital city.

Emirati actor Amal Mohamed was awarded the best Asian actress prize for her role in the film “218: Behind the Wall of Silence” about domestic violence, nostalgia, and revenge.

The suspense drama, directed by Emirati Nahla Al-Fahad, tells the story of three young women – with diverse backgrounds – who find themselves linked up by a mysterious event in apartment 218.

Dr. Essam Bukhary, chief executive officer of Manga Productions and executive producer of “The Journey,” said: “We are proud of ‘The Journey’ winning the Septimius award for the best experimental film for the first time in the history of Saudi and Arab cinematic films.

“It showcases that the creative content of Saudi culture can compete globally and drives us at Manga Productions to continue our journey in further developing Saudi talents, as we learned from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the importance of empowering the youth and that our ambitions are limitless.”

Abdulaziz Al-Naghmoosh, director of marketing, distribution, and business development at Manga Productions, said: “‘The Journey’ winning the Septimius award for best experimental film is another triumph and the fruit of hard work in developing Saudi talents that we constantly seek to discover, support, and enhance their skill set in the content industry, who also worked directly in the movie.

“Also, this triumph is a tribute to the efforts made in the release of ‘The Journey,’ and distributed in more than 25 European countries and 15 Asian countries. We have also signed with major broadcasting platforms to air the film.”

He pointed out that “The Journey” was available on Crunchyroll — the world’s largest collection of anime — in the US and was also broadcasting on more than 20 Japanese platforms as well as Shahid, an Arabic content streaming platform in the Middle East.

Sarah Mohammed, manager of animation at Manga Productions, said: “The success of the movie is a global tribute to the creativity of Saudi youth and the cooperation between Manga Productions and Toei Animation Co. Through this, we displayed part of our heritage and culture.

“Furthermore, this award is the result of the great efforts made in the co-production between Saudi and Japanese talents on all stages, starting with writing, designs, and artistic direction and ending with the release of the film, which, thankfully, had a wide positive resonance on local and global audiences.”

The cooperation between Manga Productions and Toei Animation added a blend of the experiences and methods of both countries. The film uses different artistic styles such as watercolor, traditional Japanese, and Van Gogh, shown for the first time in an animated movie.

“The Journey” beat off seven finalists nominated in the experimental film category that awards excellence in creating a one-of-a-kind expressive power using a unique art style.

The film festival included many international movies nominated for the final stage, which competed in multiple classes.

In addition, a group of filmmakers and several celebrities who won international awards, such as Oscars and Grammys, including US film director Kevin Willmott, and American actor Thomas Jane, attended the ceremony.

The Septimius festival aims to support creative, inspiring, and high-quality productions.

The core of Arabian history inspired the making of “The Journey.” Directed by Japanese filmmaker Shizuno Kobun, it is an epic tale set in the Arabian Peninsula, telling the story of Aws, a potter in Makkah who takes up arms to protect his city against ruthless invaders who threaten to destroy the Kaaba.

Manga Productions was established to inspire the heroes of tomorrow through animation, video games, and comics, and aims to be a pioneer on a regional and global level in the production of creative content, while contributing to the delivery of purposeful content that helps build creative and ambitious talents through development programs and internships to further develop the entertainment content industry in the region.


Meta threatens to yank news content from California over payments bill

Meta threatens to yank news content from California over payments bill
Updated 01 June 2023

Meta threatens to yank news content from California over payments bill

Meta threatens to yank news content from California over payments bill
  • California Journalism Preservation Act would require online platforms to pay a 'journalism usage fee’
  • Meta said it would remove news if similar bill is approved by Congress

NEW YORK: Facebook parent Meta Platforms said on Wednesday it would remove news content in its home state of California if the state government passed legislation forcing tech companies to pay publishers.

The proposed California Journalism Preservation Act would require “online platforms” to pay a “journalism usage fee” to news providers whose work appears on their services, aimed at reversing a decline in the local news sector.

In a tweeted statement, Meta spokesman Andy Stone called the payment structure a “slush fund” and said the bill would primarily benefit “big, out-of-state media companies under the guise of aiding California publishers.”

The statement was Meta’s first on the California bill specifically, although the company has been waging similar battles over compensation for news publishers at the federal level and in countries outside the United States.

In December, Stone said Meta would remove news from its platform altogether if the US Congress passed a bill that closely resembles the proposed California legislation.

The company is likewise threatening to withdraw news in Canada in response to proposed legislation there, along with Alphabet’s Google, which has said it would remove links to news articles from Canadian search results.

The proposals are similar to a ground-breaking law that Australia passed in 2021, which also triggered threats from Facebook and Google to curtail their services.

Both companies eventually struck deals with Australian media companies after amendments to the legislation were offered, although the standoff prompted a brief shutdown of Facebook news feeds in Australia in the process.

An Australian government report released in December concluded that the law had largely worked.

Google did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment about the California bill.


Russia fines WhatsApp for first time for not deleting banned content

Russia fines WhatsApp for first time for not deleting banned content
Updated 01 June 2023

Russia fines WhatsApp for first time for not deleting banned content

Russia fines WhatsApp for first time for not deleting banned content
  • WhatsApp has previously been fined for its alleged refusal to comply with Russian data law and store Russian users’ data on servers in the country

MOSCOW: A Russian court on Thursday fined messenger service WhatsApp $37,080 (3 million rubles) for not deleting banned content, its first fine in Russia for that offense.
Although WhatsApp’s parent company Meta Platforms Inc. was last year banned in Russia as an “extremist” organization, the messenger app — which is widely popular in Russia — has not previously faced penalties for failing to remove prohibited information.
Other Meta services, Facebook and Instagram — now banned in Russia — have been fined over content, as have the likes of Twitter and Alphabet’s Google.
WhatsApp, however, has previously been fined for its alleged refusal to comply with Russian data law and store Russian users’ data on servers in the country.
The RIA news agency reported that Thursday’s fine was due to WhatsApp’s refusal to remove information about the drug Lyrica, whose sale and manufacture are prohibited in Russia.
Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside US business hours.
Moscow has for years clashed with Big Tech over content, censorship, data and local representation in disputes that escalated after Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.


Emirates, AWS to create new immersive XR platform for airline staff

Emirates, AWS to create new immersive XR platform for airline staff
Updated 31 May 2023

Emirates, AWS to create new immersive XR platform for airline staff

Emirates, AWS to create new immersive XR platform for airline staff
  • Platform will feature 3-D virtual hubs, virtual training, gamified environments, simulated experiences
  • New partnership to take advantage of AI evolution to revolutionize aviation industry: Emirates COO

LONDON: Emirates Group and Amazon Web Services on Wednesday announced a new partnership to develop an immersive extended reality platform for the UAE airline’s employees.

Designed specifically for cabin crew, new joiners, and industry partners, the new iXR platform will feature 3-D virtual hubs, virtual training, gamified environments, and simulated experiences.

Adel Al-Redha, Emirates’ chief operating officer, said: “Our vision is to build a meaningful, practical, and rewarding XR capability that takes advantage of artificial intelligence’s evolution.

“We are using XR capability that is scalable and spans across the breadth of our group’s brands and businesses.

“It reflects our commitment to spearhead and entrench innovation and cutting-edge technologies in aviation for the benefit of our customers, communities, and the industry.”

Powered by AWS spatial computing and AI, the first-of-its-kind platform will deliver technical capabilities with photorealistic experiences accessible across next-gen wearables, tablets, and mobile devices.

Initially, iXR will focus on a collaborative hub and social space, cabin crew training, and employee onboarding.

“In the first phase, iXR will help cabin crew interact and familiarise themselves with the platform in an interactive, high-fidelity 3-D environment which they can explore at their convenience, leading to greater knowledge transfer and employee satisfaction.

“During this phase, we will also develop our employee experience using iXR to seamlessly assimilate our people within the group’s business, community and culture,” Al-Redha added.

Emirates will also use the platform to transform the onboarding experience for new recruits, helping them “quickly and visually learn about the organization, its people, culture, and what it is like living in Dubai.”

AWS vice president of professional services, Al Opher, said the new partnership would have a profound impact on training, design, and innovative service propositions in the aviation industry, allowing staff to train in safe, immersive, performance-oriented, and efficient environments.

“Extended reality is a rapidly emerging technology that will propel the aviation industry into the future. Together, we are revolutionizing the travel industry and raising the bar for new, exemplary experiences,” Opher added.

Featuring advanced technologies such as Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, iXR is set to launch later this year, marking another milestone in Dubai and the UAE’s commitment to digital innovation and progress.


MENA video game revenues to hit $6bn by 2027

MENA video game revenues to hit $6bn by 2027
Updated 30 May 2023

MENA video game revenues to hit $6bn by 2027

MENA video game revenues to hit $6bn by 2027
  • E-sports enthusiasts worldwide to grow to 318m by 2025, with MENA constituting 15 percent of total
  • DMCC report also offers recommendations for businesses, governments to market growth

LONDON: The revenue for the gaming industry in the Middle East and North Africa region is set to reach $6 billion by 2027, almost doubling the figure from 2021, according to research by Dubai Multi Commodities Center.

The Future of Trade 2023 report highlights how the gaming industry in the MENA region is set to grow over the next few years, led by a young and digital-native population, high levels of connectivity and government support.

These factors are driving the region’s emergence as a consumer and creator hub.

“Gaming has come to the fore of entertainment globally, driving rapid growth especially in the MENA region, which now constitutes 15 percent of the global player base,” said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO at DMCC.

Both gaming and esports are thriving. Leading the pack in the region are the UAE and Saudi Arabia, fueled by high incomes, digital engagement and public investment.

Globally, Asia-Pacific is the largest market with China, the US and Japan being the top players.

According to the report the global gaming market is expected to reach about $340 billion by 2027, from $198.4 billion in 2021. By 2025, there will be more than 318 million esports enthusiasts worldwide, up from 215.2 million in 2020.

Meanwhile, around 322.7 million people are projected to be occasional viewers of esports by 2025.

Sulayem said that the boom was partly due to the rise of “gamification” of sectors including education and healthcare. 

“Ensuring the accelerated growth of the gaming sector will have a measurable impact on the future of markets around the world, as well as the future of trade,” he said.

“As DMCC seeks to solidify Dubai’s reputation as a global trade and economic hub, efficiently activating opportunities within the gaming sector will prove essential.”

The report gathers contributions from key industry leaders including Jad El-Mir, Partner at Strategy&, and Klaus Kajetski, CEO and Founder of YaLLa Esports, to establish the critical drivers of the industry’s accelerated growth.

It also examines the impact on gaming and esports from a technology, culture and business perspective. It explores global trends and challenges, and MENA’s rise as a gaming hub.

Seeking to tap into its economic potential, DMCC in December partnered with YaLLa Esports, the Dubai-based professional esports organization, to launch the DMCC Gaming Centre.

The centre supports the growth of the gaming industry in Dubai by providing businesses with access to global capital, leading industry talent, and an ecosystem that allows them to operate efficiently and with confidence.

Thanks to the UAE’s robust business environment and strategic location, international gaming developers like Ubisoft, Tencent, and Riot Games have set up offices in the region.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has invested over $1.7 billion in the gaming industry and integrated it into its Neom project.


Iran starts trial of female journalist who covered Amini’s death

Iran starts trial of female journalist who covered Amini’s death
Updated 30 May 2023

Iran starts trial of female journalist who covered Amini’s death

Iran starts trial of female journalist who covered Amini’s death
  • Hamedi, along with another female journalist, Elaheh Mohammadi, who went on trial on Monday, face several charges including "colluding with hostile powers"
  • Iran's intelligence ministry in October accused Mohammadi and Hamedi, both imprisoned for over eight months, of being CIA foreign agents

DUBAI: A Revolutionary Court in Iran on Tuesday began the trial of a female journalist behind closed doors on charges linked to her coverage of a Kurdish-Iranian woman whose death in custody last year sparked months of unrest, her husband said on Twitter.
Mahsa Amini’s death while held by the morality police for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code unleashed a wave of mass anti-government protests for months, posing one of the boldest challenges to the country’s clerical leaders in decades.
A photo taken by Niloofar Hamedi for the pro-reform Sharq daily showing Amini’s parents hugging each other in a Tehran hospital where their daughter was lying in a coma was the first sign to the world that all was not well with 22-year-old Amini.
Tuesday’s trial session “ended in less than two hours while her lawyers did not get a chance to defend her and her family members were not allowed to attend the court,” Hamedi’s husband, Mohammad Hossein Ajorlou, said on Twitter.
“She denied all the charges against her and emphasized that she had performed her duty as a journalist based on the law.”
Hamedi, along with another female journalist, Elaheh Mohammadi, who went on trial on Monday, face several charges including “colluding with hostile powers” for their coverage of Amini’s death.
Iran’s intelligence ministry in October accused Mohammadi and Hamedi, both imprisoned for over eight months, of being CIA foreign agents.
Iran’s clerical rulers have blamed the protests on an array of enemies, including the United States, aimed at destabilising the Islamic Republic.