Going above and beyond: Hajar Al-Naim on shepherding local film talent

Going above and beyond: Hajar Al-Naim on shepherding local film talent
Al-Naim returned to her homeland to build the infrastructure that budding local and international filmmakers previously lacked in the Kingdom. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 29 May 2024
Follow

Going above and beyond: Hajar Al-Naim on shepherding local film talent

Going above and beyond: Hajar Al-Naim on shepherding local film talent
  • Saudi producer’s training company nurtures below-the-line creatives

DHAHRAN: It has been a busy month for Hajar Al-Naim, a Saudi film producer paving the way for creatives by building a road map for the region’s burgeoning film industry.

Her company, Studio Production Training (SPT), has been taking its Saudi-centric model to new heights.

After earning her master’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in the US, Al-Naim returned to her homeland to build the infrastructure that budding local and international filmmakers previously lacked in the Kingdom.

Her company, launched in 2021, connects filmmakers with qualified below-the-line (BTL) talent, the support and film crew teams working behind the scenes on productions. Cinematographers, sound technicians, editors and specialists in makeup, hair and wardrobes play a vital role in film. High-level creative roles, such as screenwriters, directors and producers as well as the principal cast are known as above-the-line talent.




The short courses Al-Naim curates with experts in the field are held in Riyadh. (Supplied)

At SPT, which is headquartered in Riyadh, Al-Naim’s custom program provides training, mentoring, production resources and access to networks within the industry. “We’re on a mission to cultivate a robust infrastructure of BTL talent in Saudi Arabia,” Al-Naim told Arab News.

“The main goal of the fund is to inspire and attract the new generation to join the field of filmmaking, and we will work to train and develop them through our partnerships and initiatives,” Al-Naim said. “We seek to celebrate the voices of professionals in this sector, and we work to build a bridge between young talents and expert filmmakers to develop the industry and enhance the interaction between them, and bring them and their work to the world.

“We are the first of its kind in the Kingdom and I’m so glad that we’re making history, starting from our training program that we’re doing with the Cultural Fund,” she added.

“We’re filling in the gap in the industry where we can take all the participants who want to join the film industry and take them through our ecosystem from education into job placements.”

The short courses Al-Naim curates with experts in the field are held in Riyadh. From there, SPT recruits working professionals to bring them on to film sets. Al-Naim said that professionals of all stripes can find a niche in the industry.

“We want people from different industries to realize that they can use their skills in the film industry. The interior designers, the fashion designers, accountants, project managers … they can use their education and their degree and put it toward the industry,” she added.

The training programs are meant to be intense. Her team curates each course — which usually lasts two to five days — with an instructor, focusing on three pillars: Knowledge, mindset and safety.

“We’re trying to apply a high-caliber, world-class kind of training, because we want those international productions, when they come to the region, to not have to bring their whole crew to Saudi Arabia. They use our crew,” she added.

This year, the Saudi Film Festival returned to the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran. Al-Naim’s company offered prizes to specific filmmakers, all of whom were nominated for the Saudi Film Festival awards.

Amr Al-Ammari, who won the gold award for cinematography, shared his gratitude during the ceremony.

“Winning the award means a lot to me as it is recognition and appreciation of the effort and many years spent in filmmaking,” he said.

“The Cultural Fund has been a great support to me and my colleagues in the field by funding the film ‘Fever Dream,’ which enabled us to create an enduring story.”

Aside from her CEO duties at SPT, Al-Naim is also a founding member of the Saudi Film Council, which launched in 2018, and the founder and chairwoman of Her Films, a Saudi nonprofit dedicated to the elevation and empowerment of women in film.




The short courses Al-Naim curates with experts in the field are held in Riyadh. (Supplied)

“A lot of filmmakers appreciate all the initiatives that we’re doing because they know that it’s coming from me … they know that it’s coming from someone who struggled like them. They appreciate the experience that I went through to be able to step back and try to support them,” she said.

Al-Naim’s face lights up when she speaks about her team. “I met Steve (Stephen Andrew Martin) when I was in (graduate) school. I’ve done my first movie with him, so we have a lot in common — and we love supporting others. And it’s interesting for an American white guy who comes from Texas originally to share the same values with me,” she said of her co-founder.

Martin brings his connections, expertise and passion to SPT.

“Communication is the key in our organization,” Al-Naim added, highlighting the importance of having a clear vision for the organization. “We have a document called ‘Compass,’ and we try to identify where we’re going, why we’re doing what we’re doing, how can we reach the right audience, and how can we leave them with the best feeling and experience.”

SPT’s first collaboration was with streaming giant Netflix as part of a program. Trained professionals that went through the program ended up on Netflix series.

SPT training sessions, for professionals and beginners, are held in-person at the Riyadh location, with class sizes kept to a maximum of 15 people.

Since its launch, about 300 trainees have benefited from SPT’s program.

The organization has previously brought in instructors from the UK and Turkiye, and recently began a collaborative sponsoring program with the US Embassy, for the American Film Showcase.

Despite some of the hurdles and red tape, Al-Naim is hopeful that the Kingdom’s filmmaking industry is bright. With ample opportunities opening for aspiring filmmakers, she sees the sector as a thriving hub to continue telling Saudi stories.

“It’s all going toward the right direction,” Al-Naim said.


Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA

Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA
Updated 06 February 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA

Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA
  • Saudi Arabia, represented by Nazaha’s President Mazin Al-Kahmous, was elected as a member of the executive committee of the IAACA
  • Al-Kahmous praised the vital role of the IAACA in promoting international cooperation, transparency, and integrity across nations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority which is otherwise known as Nazaha, participated in the 14th general meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, which took place on Thursday via a videoconference.

In the course of the meeting, Saudi Arabia, represented by Nazaha’s President Mazin Al-Kahmous, was elected as a member of the executive committee of the IAACA, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The move reflects the international community’s recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts and global status in combating corruption, mainly at the international level.

Al-Kahmous praised the vital role of the IAACA in promoting international cooperation, transparency, and integrity across nations.

He spoke of the association’s mission to facilitate knowledge and expertise exchange among countries and institutions dedicated to combating corruption, as well as to develop effective strategies for addressing the issue locally and internationally.

The Nazaha president also stressed the importance of building a network of international partners to support the implementation of laws and policies related to transparency and accountability.

Al-Kahmous reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to working alongside member states and all stakeholders to make meaningful and effective contributions toward achieving the objectives of the IAACA.

The IAACA is an independent non-political and anti-corruption organization with over 180 agencies from different countries. It seeks to promote the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to reduce corruption and bribery in all forms by 2030.


Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress

Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress
Updated 06 February 2025
Follow

Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress

Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress
  • Gathering aimed to foster the exchange of insights, experiences and developments to enhance the role of geospatial information in achieving development goals within Arab countries
  • Meeting discussed initiatives to empower Arab women in the field of geospatial information

JEDDAH: The 12th meeting of the Regional Committee of UN Global Geospatial Information Management for the Arab States, hosted by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, ended on Tuesday in Jeddah.

The gathering aimed to foster the exchange of insights, experiences and developments to enhance the role of geospatial information in achieving development goals within Arab countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting included a review of the Arab Committee’s 2024 annual report, progress monitoring across working groups, and contributions from international organizations on geospatial information in the Arab region.

Notable efforts by the UN Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence and the UN Global Center of Excellence for Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation were highlighted, along with updates on the Kingdom’s hosting of the UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence, to be established in Riyadh.

Contributions from other regional committees of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management were also reviewed, the SPA reported.

The meeting discussed initiatives to empower Arab women in the field of geospatial information.


Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau

Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau
Updated 06 February 2025
Follow

Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau

Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau
  • President Umaro Sissoko Embalo awards highest medal of honor to Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa for promoting religious diplomacy
  • Dr. Al-Issa highlighted the importance of such competitions, as the Tijan An Nour Qur’an, in encouraging Qur’an memorization and enhancing participants’ societal roles

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoko Embalo, Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa inaugurated the Tijan An Nour Qur’an competition at the Lino Correia Stadium in Bissau.

Embalo awarded Al-Issa the country’s highest medal of honor for his efforts in religious diplomacy, as well as promoting civilizational peace and international cooperation.

Al-Issa highlighted the importance of such competitions in encouraging Qur’an memorization and enhancing participants’ societal roles.

The competition is West Africa’s most prominent Qur’anic event, featuring 20-part, 15-part, 10-part and five-part memorization categories.

It also includes training courses on Qur’an recitation, imam and teacher qualifications, and recitation correction.


Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy

Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy
Updated 06 February 2025
Follow

Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy

Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy
  • Agreement aims to promote knowledge exchange, support cultural tourism and enhance collaboration in various cultural fields
  • Deal will activate the AlUla Reads initiative, introduce mobile library tours, and promote literacy through community events for children and families

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Public Library and the Royal Commission for AlUla have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cultural and civilizational cooperation.

The agreement aims to promote knowledge exchange, support cultural tourism and enhance collaboration in various cultural fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The deal was signed on Wednesday by the library’s general supervisor, Faisal bin Muammar, and the acting CEO of the commission, Abeer Al-Akel, in Riyadh.

Bin Muammar emphasized that the agreement aligned with the library’s mission to preserve Arab and Islamic heritage, as well as the Kingdom’s diverse cultural legacy.

He said that the library played a key role in safeguarding this heritage through its collection of manuscripts, books, documents, rare photographs, and publishing and translation projects.

Al-Akel described the partnership as a model for integrated efforts among government entities in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

She highlighted the library’s rich knowledge and cultural archives, particularly in areas under the commission’s supervision.

The agreement includes collaboration in establishing libraries, hosting local and international exhibitions, and co-publishing books.

It also supports scientific research, promotes bilingual publications in Arabic and English, and exchanges visual and audio materials related to AlUla, Al-Mu’azzam, Tayma and Khaybar.

Additionally, the deal will activate the AlUla Reads initiative, introduce mobile library tours, and promote literacy through community events for children and families.

Training and development programs will build professional capacities through joint courses and workshops.


Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’
Updated 06 February 2025
Follow

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’
  • Event celebrates Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi’s legacy in mathematics and informatics

RIYADH: The STEAM Festival in Riyadh celebrates the legacy of 9th-century Muslim scientist Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, one of the most prominent figures in the history of mathematics and informatics.

The event was organized by the King Salman Science Oasis as part of its efforts to spread knowledge and promote interest in science and innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

It aims to inspire students by showcasing Al-Khwarizmi’s achievements in mathematics, algebra, and algorithms, which laid the foundation for modern scientific and technical development.

The event featured interactive presentations and workshops highlighting his contributions to science, the SPA reported.

This initiative aligns with the oasis’s vision to enhance scientific and cultural identity, motivate future generations, and contribute to achieving Vision 2030’s strategic goals.

Al-Khwarizmi, known as “the father of algebra,” was a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and scholar who laid the foundation for modern algebra and computational mathematics.

He worked at the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, writing influential texts on arithmetic, algebra, and geography.

His book introduced systematic solutions to linear and quadratic equations, giving rise to algebra. The term “algorithm” is derived from the Latinized version of his name, reflecting his lasting impact on mathematics and computer science.

Earlier, the oasis highlighted the pioneering work of scientist Mariam Al-Astrolabi, renowned for her contributions to astronomy and her creation of astrolabes, instruments used to determine locations and times for prayers. Her work also advanced marine navigation.

Additionally, the oasis hosted an event honoring Jabir ibn Hayyan, known as “the father of chemistry” for his groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and gold water. His innovations, including distillation, played a key role in advancing both Islamic and Western chemistry.