New Partnership Strengthens Opportunities for Saudi Women Filmmakers

Jeddah – A renewed partnership between the Red Sea Film Foundation and Effat University’s Cinematic Arts School is opening new pathways for Saudi women filmmakers to thrive in a rapidly growing national film industry.

The agreement, signed during the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, reflects a joint commitment to empowering young female storytellers with financial support, training, and industry access.

This collaboration provides students with direct funding from the Red Sea Fund, ensuring that promising film projects receive the resources needed to move from concept to screen.

Alongside funding, mentoring is offered at each stage of production, helping students strengthen their creative voice and technical skills.

The foundation emphasized that this model enhances both artistic quality and professional development, laying the groundwork for a new generation of Saudi women who will shape the nation’s cinematic identity.

This aligns with the cultural ambitions of Vision 2030, which promotes creative industries as key contributors to the Kingdom’s future.

Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the foundation, highlighted that the renewed partnership reinforces the mission of expanding opportunities for emerging female talent in the film sector.

He noted that the collaboration represents an investment not just in projects, but in the long-term growth of Saudi cinema.

Dr. Haifa Reda Jamal Al-Lail, president of Effat University, stated that empowering women and creating avenues for artistic expression remain central to the university’s mission.

She affirmed that the partnership gives students access to essential industry tools and guidance needed to excel as filmmakers and storytellers.

Saudi women continue to play a growing role in the film industry as the Kingdom builds a dynamic and globally-engaged cultural sector.

Over the past decade, expanding education, investment, and platforms for artistic expression have contributed to a flourishing creative landscape.

Effat University’s Cinematic Arts School, established in 2013 through an academic partnership with the University of Southern California, remains a pioneer in film education.

As the first institution in the Kingdom to offer a bachelor’s degree in film production, direction, and animation, it has shaped the foundation of modern cinematic learning in Saudi Arabia.

Its emphasis on nurturing talent, innovation, and hands-on training has helped elevate the creative capabilities of young filmmakers across the nation.

The school also plays a central role in expanding women’s participation in cultural sectors that were previously limited or emerging.

The renewed partnership stands as part of the Red Sea Film Foundation’s wider Women in Cinema initiative, a program dedicated to supporting female voices and ensuring diverse representation in regional and global storytelling.

Through this initiative, more women gain access to the networks, experience, and visibility needed to pursue filmmaking careers at international standards.

This collaboration is expected to further energize Saudi Arabia’s film ecosystem, encouraging more women to explore filmmaking as a viable and impactful profession.

By equipping students with funding, mentorship, and industry exposure, the initiative helps build a sustainable creative environment that expands horizons for future generations.

As Saudi Arabia’s cultural sectors continue to rise, partnerships like this demonstrate the nation’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence and supporting the ambitions of young women creators.

Together, these institutions are shaping a cinematic future defined by innovation, diversity, and global engagement.