A Highlight on Creative Collaborations
In 2024, the British Council was proud to partner with the Saudi Cinema Association, Ithra, and the Saudi Film Festival to promote creativity, cultural exchange, and capacity building in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly developing industry. This was an important milestone in strengthening artistic ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia, aiming for future partnerships across the UK arts sector.
As part of the 10th edition of the Saudi Film Festival, the British Council organized a series of events and initiatives designed to encourage creativity between both countries. The festival, which has become a major platform for cinematic storytelling in the region, was the perfect setting for this international collaboration.
Screenings and Masterclasses
One of the highlights was the special showcase of UK short films, which included The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be (2021) by Adeyemi Michael, Mulika (2022) by Leo Nelki and Maisha Maene, and The Veiled City (2023) by Natalie Cubides-Brady. These films introduced Saudi audiences to unique British voices and visions.
The British Council also hosted an insightful masterclass led by industry experts from the UK-based Blue Zoo Animation Studio. The animation studio introduced a session “Building a Global Animation Industry in Saudi Arabia,” which offered practical insights into animation production and creative entrepreneurship, that resonated with iconic Saudi artists and industry professionals. Blue Zoo’s expertise provided an outline for ambitious animators looking to contribute to an expanding local industry with global objectives.
Training to Build Capacity
Apart from cultural showcases, the British Council played a major role in training and developing the creative sector. In partnership with Studio Ulster, they organized a special animation workshop that helped young Saudi talents build essential technical skills, explore new creative techniques, gain practical knowledge, and become familiar with international standards and practices in animation.
Bridging Creative Worlds
The British Council showed its strong, long-term commitment to supporting Saudi storytellers and expanding the global reach of the country’s creative industries through a series of workshops, film screenings, and cultural exchange programmes. UK had the chance to connect directly with local talents and institutions, opening the door to future co-productions, training opportunities, and new artistic projects.
The efforts in Saudi Arabia highlight how powerful collaboration across borders and industries can be. With Saudi Arabia’s film sector growing rapidly, there’s a real opportunity for UK arts organizations, institutions, and creatives to engage with a market full of heritage, ambition, and potential.
The British Council invites UK arts and culture partners to explore future opportunities in Saudi Arabia, whether through film, animation, training, or creative dialogue. Together, we can help shape the next exciting chapter in global creative collaboration.
