Over 4,000 talented youth evinced keen interest in the techniques of making videos and direction at the “Creative Studio” introduced at Saudi Aramco’s iThra Knowledge Program.

The program, which is aimed at transforming Saudi Arabia into a knowledge society, opened its doors in Jeddah’s Aramco training center with a number of cultural and educational activities.

The event will continue till Feb. 13 in view of the high demand from the public. The program is supported and organized by King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture.

Yousef Khori, communications manager of the event, said that the Creative Studio is a competition to develop high-end media material, and through which they hope to encourage participation of local high school students and universities to develop material for media and production.

“The program will be uploaded on YouTube and should create a positive buzz through YouTube celebrities in the Kingdom,” he said.

Rakan Farhan from Creative Studio said that through this program, interested persons can learn how to make a simple video using smart-phone, besides editing and direction and how to upload them on to YouTube.

Abdul Aziz Al-Sayar, supervisor of the program, said, “We saw encouraging participation by the youth from different segments of society, as it provided knowledge, educational and entertaining programs, though which they can achieve success even as they pursue their careers. We found many young people interested in becoming photographers, filmmakers, directors, producers, and this program provides them with first-hand information.”

He said the attendees, after receiving the necessary skills through the workshop, will be asked to make a video clip of two minutes on environmental protection, water use, saving electricity, public behavior, etiquette and traffic to participate in the competition.

“The three best films will be chosen at the end of the program by a panel of judges and their names will be announced at a ceremony to be held on Feb. 12. They will be given prizes besides putting up their video clips on YouTube which is popular in the Kingdom,” he said.