Series of inspired redirections leads rising star in Saudi cinema to Cannes screening

Hanaa Alfassi’s upcoming project ‘When the Shelves Hymn,’ is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with renowned Saudi director Haifa Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set. (Supplied)
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Hanaa Alfassi’s upcoming project ‘When the Shelves Hymn,’ is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with renowned Saudi director Haifa Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set. (Supplied)
Hanaa Alfassi’s upcoming project ‘When the Shelves Hymn,’ is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with renowned Saudi director Haifa Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set. (Supplied)
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Hanaa Alfassi’s upcoming project ‘When the Shelves Hymn,’ is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with renowned Saudi director Haifa Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set. (Supplied)
Hanaa Alfassi’s upcoming project ‘When the Shelves Hymn,’ is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with renowned Saudi director Haifa Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set. (Supplied)
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Hanaa Alfassi’s upcoming project ‘When the Shelves Hymn,’ is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with renowned Saudi director Haifa Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set. (Supplied)
Series of inspired redirections leads rising star in Saudi cinema to Cannes screening
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Hana in the middle next to Jumanah Al-Rashed CEO of SRMG, Ryan Ashore, head of Red Sea Labs, while getting the award at the Red Sea Film Festival souk for the screenplay. (Supplied)
Series of inspired redirections leads rising star in Saudi cinema to Cannes screening
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On location AlUla scouting with the Cinematographer. (Supplied)
Series of inspired redirections leads rising star in Saudi cinema to Cannes screening
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From behind the scenes while filming Alfassi's most resent work “Bygones” in the old town of AlUla. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 May 2024
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Series of inspired redirections leads rising star in Saudi cinema to Cannes screening

Series of inspired redirections leads rising star in Saudi cinema to Cannes screening
  • The filmmaker’s AlUla Creates project is set to be partially screened at Cannes Film Festival

JEDDAH: Filmmaker Hanaa Alfassi, from Jeddah, is a rising talent in the nascent world of Saudi cinema, rubbing shoulders with iconic directors like Haifa Al-Mansour.

Her latest project, “When the Shelves Hymn,” created under the working title “Bygones,” is a coming-of-age drama that is currently in post-production. A scene is set to be screened at a Film AlUla event at Cannes Film Festival this week and the film is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set.




The Saudi filmmaker’s upcoming film was shot in AlUla’s old town area. (Supplied)

“We were fortunate to have the director Haifaa Mansour provide valuable feedback during the development process.” Alfassi told Arab News. “She is a very kind and inspiring filmmaker, and we were glad as a team to have her visit the set.”

Collaborating closely with industry veterans like Moayad Abualkhair and Al-Mansour, Alfassi benefited from robust feedback loops that significantly enhanced the development process.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hanaa Alfassi also served as a judge at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which was held recently this month in Dhahran.

• Her cinematic perspective was profoundly influenced in 2012 during the premiere of ‘Wadjda’ at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.

• A film she was involved in, ‘In Between,’ directed by Dalia Bakheet, was selected for the Annecy Film Festival in 2019.

• Her initial foray into the digital arts began with a 3D animation course in 1999 during her high school years in Egypt.

She also faced numerous challenges while filming “When the Shelves Hymn.”

“Despite unexpected delays, the team utilized these interruptions for in-depth discussions and rehearsals, adding depth to their work,” she said.




The Saudi filmmaker’s upcoming film was shot in AlUla’s old town area. (Supplied)

Filming in the old town of AlUla was a deliberate choice, intertwining the narrative with the historic location’s enchanting landscapes.

“The choice of an antique shop in the old town was not only organic to the story but also perfectly aligned with the location’s authenticity,” the filmmaker said.

We were fortunate to have the director Haifaa Al-Mansour provide valuable feedback during the development process.

Hanaa Alfassi, Saudi filmmaker

“Despite the numerous regulations governing shooting location, as it’s a perceived UNESCO heritage site, the production design team led by Amany Wahba and Theory PS ensured strict adherence to all requirements.”




The Saudi filmmaker’s upcoming film was shot in AlUla’s old town area. (Supplied)

The support from mentors throughout the production was crucial as it helped fine-tune the script, enrich the film’s direction, and ensure the final product was not only a reflection of Alfassi’s vision but also collaborative filmmaking.

“Their support went beyond just providing feedback; it was a source of encouragement and motivation throughout the process,” she told Arab News.

Alfassi also served as a judge at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which was held recently this month in Dhahran, a task that provided her with a unique vantage point and offers opportunities to partake in meaningful discussions.

“Serving as a jury member is also a learning experience exposing me to a diverse range of films and viewpoints as well as true discussions about the nature of cinema as an art form,” she said.

Alfassi’s cinematic perspective was profoundly influenced in 2012 during the premiere of “Wadjda,” the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director (Haifaa Al-Mansour) at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The film was the Kingdom’s official submission for the foreign language film category in the 86th Academy Awards, marking the first time the country submitted a film to the Academy for consideration.

At the premier, surrounded by a diverse audience, Alfassi was struck by the universal curiosity and connection films can foster. “It was a moment filled with excitement and curiosity as we witnessed people from diverse backgrounds and cultures come together to experience a film from a different place,” she said.

“This sense of curiosity has always been a part of me, but the experience reinforced its importance. It’s crucial for me today to maintain this curiosity, as it enables me to tell diverse narratives and explore new perspectives.”

Her entry into the world of filmmaking was not straightforward, but rather a series of inspired redirections. Her initial foray into the digital arts began with a 3D animation course in 1999 during her high school years in Egypt.

Although the emerging digital era fascinated her, Alfassi found the detailed process of animation to be too time-consuming. This led her to explore photography, which temporarily satisfied her storytelling impulses. However, her desire to tell dynamic, evolving stories only grew from there.

Alfassi enrolled in the filmmaking institute, setting her career trajectory firmly toward the cinema. “As I pursued my studies in mass communication at University of Ain Shams, my mother discovered a new institute founded by one of Egypt’s renowned filmmakers, Rafat Al-Meehi,” she said. “I enrolled, balancing two years of filmmaking education alongside my college curriculum.”

Over the years, Alfassi has contributed to various short films both as a director and producer. One of these, “Lollipop,” received a financial award from the ENJAAZ Dubai Film Market’s production support fund and gained support from The Heart Productions and the Industry Lab at the New York Film Academy.

“Lollipop” has been showcased at several prestigious festivals, including the Dubai International Film Festival and the Malmo Arab Film Festival. It was also featured in the “Hope” program by ANHAR, the Arab Network for Human Rights Films.

Another project she was involved in, “In Between,” directed by Dalia Bakheet, was officially selected for the renowned Annecy Film Festival in 2019.

From being inspired by a film by Al-Mansour to becoming a film director herself and having Al-Mansour on site, Alfassi’s hard work and perseverance has clearly paid off. Late last year at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival, alongside her colleagues Jade and Mana Al-Majd, she clinched one of the two awards in the TV Series Lab category for their comedy TV pilot set in Saudi Arabia, an achievement she considers an honor.

Alfassi’s journey in filmmaking is a compelling narrative of passion, adaption, and perseverance.

Looking ahead, the Saudi filmmaker is enthusiastic about her participation in future festivals and is keen to leverage platforms like the Cannes Film Festival to broaden her network and introduce her work to a global audience.

 


Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 22 min 57 sec ago
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Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
  • King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery
  • The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at King Hussein Medical City

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of congratulations on Tuesday to Jordan’s King Abdullah after he underwent minor surgery.

In separate cables, the king and crown prince prayed for the Jordanian monarch’s health and happiness. 

King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery, the Jordanian royal palace said.

The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at the country’s King Hussein Medical City.

He is set to resume his working schedule on Wednesday, according to the royal palace. 


Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator

Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator
Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator

Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator
  • Kingdom has engaged in policy of maintaining ties with ‘key players in the world’
  • Latest meeting highlights increasing role as international mediator

RIYADH: US-Russia talks taking place in Riyadh today exemplify Saudi Arabia’s position as a “neutral setting,” with the Kingdom having engaged in a policy of building ties with various nations, according to a political commentator.

“(Saudi Arabia) has close ties to Russia, America, to China, to the European Union, to the BRICS countries. Saudi Arabia has built a stature where it has maintained excellent ties with all the key players of the world,” Ali Shihabi said.

He said that the Kingdom has pursued a multilateral foreign policy in building close relationships with various nations, particularly in the past five years.

Russia and the US agreed after the Riyadh meeting to begin working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving ties, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Associated Press.

Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts have gained renewed attention following the country’s role in dialogue over the Russia-Ukraine war.

In 2024, the Kingdom played an influential role as a mediator, and was responsible for facilitating the biggest US-Russian prisoner swap since the Cold War, according to Reuters.

The exchange involved 24 prisoners — 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight sent back to Russia from the West.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was also reportedly involved in a negotiating a Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap in 2022 involving more than 300 people.

Shihabi said that the meeting in Riyadh between Russia and the US “is really a result of the crown prince’s close relationships.”

He said: “Both parties look upon Riyadh and look upon the crown prince as a friend — in a way this is a neutral setting.”

Shihabi underlined that European countries “are hostile to Russia.”

He said that Saudi Arabia is an ideal host for the peace talks because of its “neutrality,” having been a close ally to both countries.

“Saudi Arabia did not impose sanctions on the Russians, it works closely with the Russians in OPEC+, it’s very close to the Americans, it was a place that both parties were comfortable coming to,” Shihabi said.

The meeting in Riyadh came about following phone calls US President Trump had separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and then Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 12.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office following the calls, Trump said: “I think we are on the way to getting peace, I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelensky wants peace, and I want peace. I just want to see people stop getting killed.

“We think we’re going to probably meet in Saudi Arabia, the first meeting. We know the crown prince, and I think it would be a very good place to be.”

Shihabi underlined that the Kingdom’s hosting of the talks signals the country’s “very prestigious position,” adding that “it shows the respect that both Russia and America have for Saudi Arabia.”


Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh

Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh
Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh

Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh
  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed relations with both France and the US, ways to strengthen ties across various sectors, as well as regional and international developments
  • Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh, highlighting the Saudi commitment to global peace and security

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday and briefed ministers on his recent talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

During the talks, he discussed relations with both countries, ways to strengthen ties across various sectors, as well as regional and international developments.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh, highlighting the Saudi commitment to global peace and security.

The Council of Ministers reviewed the government’s recent activities, particularly those aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. It also discussed the outcomes of the Kingdom’s participation in regional and international meetings, highlighting its commitment to collective efforts and expanding cooperation to achieve its aspirations and objectives.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s call, expressed during the 42nd Arab Interior Ministers Council, to enhance security cooperation, coordinate efforts to combat crime and develop a comprehensive security strategy to address shared challenges.

The council said that the Kingdom’s presidency of the GlobE Network reflects the international community’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to drive a major shift in consolidating cooperation among member states, enhancing policies and developing tools to effectively combat corruption.

The Cabinet welcomed the Jeddah Declaration issued by the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World. The declaration outlines a shared vision for leveraging culture to drive social and economic progress, safeguard Islamic heritage and foster collaboration to address global challenges.

For the occasion of Founding Day, observed on Feb. 22, the Cabinet expressed pride in the history of the Saudi state, its deep-rooted heritage and its three-century-long civilization. It commended the nation’s achievements in fostering unity, justice and continuous progress.

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom’s prominent position among the top 10 global markets for battery energy storage, marked by the start of operations at the 2,000-megawatt-hour-capacity Bisha project. This reflects the transformation of the energy sector and the Kingdom’s leadership in energy production as well as export.

The Cabinet commended the opening of regional headquarters for 600 international companies within the Kingdom, highlighting global recognition of Saudi Arabia’s economic stability, promising growth trajectory and strategic geographic location, supported by exceptional talent and expertise.


Saudi crown prince receives Russian FM in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives Russian FM in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
  • During the meeting, aspects of Saudi-Russian relations and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields were reviewed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, aspects of Saudi-Russian relations and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields were reviewed, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Developments in regional and international events, views on them, and efforts made toward them to achieve security and stability were also discussed by the officials. 

The meeting came after Lavrov participated in US-Russian talks hosted by the Kingdom on ending the war in Ukraine. 

Later on Tuesday, Prince Mohammed received the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.


World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition

World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition
Updated 18 February 2025
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World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition

World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition
  • Next edition will be held under the theme The Future of Defense Integration, showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space
  • Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030

RIYADH: Organizers of Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show have announced an expanded exhibition area with several new sections for its third edition, which will be held in February 2026.

An additional hall will increase floor space to a total of 273,000 square meters, more than 58 percent larger than the first edition in 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

More than 65 percent of the exhibition space is already sold out, according to the report.

The next edition will be held under the theme “The Future of Defense Integration,” showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space.

Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030.

The next edition will be the most successful yet, said the event’s CEO Andrew Percy, as reported by SPA.

There will be more local and international participation, and the exhibition will focus more closely on technology including unmanned and marine defense systems.

New programs in the upcoming edition will include a defense and security industry lab, and an exhibition of future technologies.

A Saudi supply chain zone will allow local small and medium-sized enterprises to network with key players in global supply chains.

Positive feedback from the last two editions exceeded expectations, Percy said, allowing organizers to set new ambitious goals for this upcoming event.

The World Defense Show was first held in 2022 on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh.

It attracted 600 exhibitors from 42 countries, 82 military and defense delegations, and 65 thousand visitors from 85 countries, according to GAMI.

The second edition in 2024 saw over 106,000 people attend, with 441 delegations from 116 countries.

A total of 61 purchase contracts worth SR26 billion ($6.9 billion) were signed, according to GAMI.