Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awad bin Saleh Al-Awad highlighted the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic especially at this time of partnership and building cultural cooperation with the capital of culture and art. During the press conference he held following the signing of the agreements in Paris today, as part of the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense to the French Republic, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awad bin Saleh Al-Awad said that it was agreed with the Minister of Culture of France that there will be official participation of the Kingdom in Cannes International Film Festival for the first time in its 71st session of 2018, and there are many programs that will enable the Kingdom to benefit from cultural experiences in France, expressing his happiness in signing the agreements that will result in a cultural product with a level that represents the kingdom in international forums. The minister pointed out that the Kingdom will be present in Cannes International Film Festival in 2018 with two nominated films, in the presence of the General Authority for Culture and the Saudi Film Council. Dr. Awad Al-Awad stressed that the fields of culture and art require a very large work adding that the culture sector can be transformed into an integrated economic sector and a national sector with a significant contribution to the GDP. The minister said, "The establishment of the General Authority for Culture is an essential factor for the development of cultural work in the Kingdom. There is clarity in what cultural sectors we want to focus on in the coming period in cultural development, especially film, theater, literary work in general, folklore, music and visual arts."
