Imagine a European Film Festival being held in Saudi Arabia!
Well, this is a reality. Riyadh’s inaugural European Film Festival is all set to kick off on June 15. The seven-day festival will feature a roster of movies from across the continent.
Set to take place at The Esplanade mall, the festival will screen 14 films from Spain, Germany, and France, among other countries.
Movies include the 2019 French comedy “Les Parfums,” 2016 hit “Welcome to Germany,” “Little Joe” and “I Am Greta.”
“We are very happy to host the first-ever European Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. As the EU, we are keen to add to the vibrant cultural scene of Saudi Arabia, facilitating cultural exchange and introducing European culture while also fostering contacts between Europeans and Saudis to enhance mutual understanding. We also thank our partners in this endeavor, especially Arabia Pictures, Vox Cinema, and the Saudi Film Commission,” Patrick Simonnet, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said in a released statement.
Roua Almadani, CEO of Arabia Pictures (APG), added: “This event is a milestone within the Kingdom and a bridge between Europe and the rising film industry in Saudi Arabia. We would like to thank the delegation of the European Union for collaborating with us, the Saudi Film Commission for its support, and our esteemed partners, especially Vox Cinema.”
The event is being organized by the Delegation of the European Union in Riyadh in cooperation with the Embassies of the EU Member States and Arabia Pictures Group.
