Rawad Media production has joined hands with the Saudi magazine Sayyidati to hold the forthcoming Jeddah Film Festival 2009, said Mamdouh Salem, director general of the Jeddah Film Festival and executive director of Rawad Media at a press conference here on Sunday. “This year at the Jeddah Film Festival we want to introduce new fields and awards, and we are putting greater emphasis on feature films as well as on documentaries and short films,” he said. “Apart from Saudi films, we want this year's festival to also include films from Gulf countries which will take part in different categories, such as, scriptwriting, direction, production, animation, short films, etc,” he added. “Today we have joined hands with Sayyidati to enhance the role of Saudi women in filmmaking,” Salem said, adding that the competition is open to Saudis and non-Saudis living in the Gulf countries.” The festival will award prizes in three main categories: best direction; best screenplay; and best acting performance, for Saudi women who have come to the fore in the arena. Those who want to participate in the Jeddah Film Festival 2009 should submit their work by May 31 and complete a registration form which is available on the festival website: www.Jeddahfilmfest.com Salem said that there will be 15 cash prizes which will be announced later. He also said the quality of the picture and sound of the films should be excellent, and they should be able to be translated into English. “All films will go through the control system of the Ministry of Culture and Information and will be selected by a special committee formed by the organization and authorities,” he explained. Halima Mudhaffar, representing the media, said the festival hopes to present genuine cinematic achievements to establish a stronger female Saudi and Gulf cinema industry.
