The picturesque village of Al-Muftaha in Abha launched the first in a series of film criticism forums organized by the Saudi Film Commission this year, setting the stage for the grand International Film Criticism Conference scheduled in Riyadh this November.
This new initiative aims to cultivate a culture of cinematic discourse by promoting critical frameworks that look beyond the image to unravel visual meanings—part of the Kingdom’s broader strategy to embed cultural identity within its developing film industry.
Mishari Al-Khayat, General Supervisor of the International Film Criticism Conference, emphasized that launching the forum in Abha symbolizes the city’s growing prominence as a cultural and artistic hub. He added that a robust film sector must be supported by thoughtful critique that dissects both form and substance.
Last year’s conference drew over 10,000 attendees and featured 42 speakers from 30 countries—affirming Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global platform for cinematic exchange and intellectual dialogue.
