Film Criticism Conference

The Film Criticism Conference is a project that includes a main general conference and specialized forums, meeting international standards. It is held annually in several cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and organized by the Film Commission under the Ministry of Culture. The first edition was launched on March 28-29, 2023.

The Film Criticism Conference gathers enthusiasts, specialists, and non-specialists in the field of film criticism and film culture, including critics, academics in film studies, artists, filmmakers, and writers. It provides a platform that contributes to the exchange of opinions and experiences, supporting the Kingdom's participation locally, regionally, and internationally in ongoing dialogues about film criticism, its developments, concepts, and applications.

The conference aims to support the efforts of the national cultural system to elevate the Kingdom's intellectual and artistic position globally. It also provides an opportunity for the community of film critics to present their ideas and opinions, as well as offering opportunities to learn and interact with global expertise. Additionally, it aims to establish the concept of criticism and cinematic analysis in particular, and artistic, cultural, and intellectual analysis in general, which contributes to the audience's acceptance within the national film sector. It also seeks to create an annual platform that enriches the field of film criticism and helps develop it widely and sustainably, serving as a point of communication between local and international specialists in the field of film criticism.

The first tour of the first edition of the Film Criticism Conference was launched in Jeddah Governorate, in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province, on March 28-29, 2023. The activities of the Jeddah Film Criticism Forum took place over two days at the Islamic Arts Biennale and the Historic Jeddah area, under the theme 'Spirituality in Cinema.' Critics, academics, and specialists in the field of cinema participated, creating a critical movement within the Saudi cinematic scene to enrich filmmakers' experiences by transferring global experiences and critical reviews related to cinema. This contributes to the development of the sector, stimulates artistic talents, and elevates the Kingdom's position as an influential center in the world of film production and filmmaking. The tour discussed the multiple spiritual manifestations in various types of cinematic narratives: fictional, documentary, and experimental, through research papers, seminars, and dialogues, accompanied by film screenings that lasted for five consecutive days.

The Film Criticism Conference held its second tour in Dhahran City, in Eastern Province, on May 5-6, 2023, under the slogan 'National Cinema,' in partnership with the Saudi Film Festival and the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture 'Ithra.' During this tour, the concept of national cinema was explored through efforts such as government subsidies and incentive programs, streaming platforms, the convergence between media, the growing prevalence of multinational co-productions, and the restructuring of distribution chains, through dialogue sessions.

Abha City, in Aseer Province, hosted the third tour of the first Film Criticism Conference in collaboration with Aseer Development Authority, on July 26-27, 2023, at Mohammed Bin Adwan Heritage Village in Behan Center, Ballahmar, under the slogan 'Visuality and Natural Space in Films.'

The third tour discussed the effects of natural spaces in determining the course of cinematic narratives and their ability to captivate audiences. Abha was selected for its vast natural landscapes, aiming to explore the reflection of natural scenery in films. The tour included a schedule of several events designed to enhance the audience's ability to better read and analyze films, with film screenings such as 'Nostalgia for the Light,' 'There Will Be Some Who Will Not Fear Even That Void,' and 'Theeb,' followed by a critical dialogue session about the film 'Theeb.' The tour also included an audio workshop with an expert in the field, aimed at exploring the significance of sound in cinema and its influence on film production. Additionally, several presentations and dialogue sessions were held, led by academics and experts in cinematic criticism, offering opportunities for networking, collaboration, and relationship-building among those interested in film criticism.

The fourth tour of the first edition of the Film Criticism Conference was held in Tabuk on September 7, 2023, under the slogan 'Technology and the Film Viewing Experience,' before moving to Buraydah in October 2023, in a round carrying the slogan 'Migration, Travel, and Movement in Cinema.' The activities concluded with the Film Criticism Conference being held in Riyadh from November 7 to 14, 2023, under the slogan 'Beyond the Frame.'