Riyadh | August 13, 2025

The Film Commission announced the organization of a film criticism forum in the city of Abha, scheduled for August 21, marking the first stop in a series of forums to be held in Saudi cities this year, before concluding with the International Film Criticism Conference in Riyadh in November. The forum comes as part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the presence of film criticism in the Saudi cultural scene and broaden the circle of intellectual dialogue among creatives and cinema enthusiasts.

The Abha forum, themed "Cinema… The Art of Place," will serve as an intellectual and artistic platform celebrating the relationship between architecture and cinematic imagery, through a comprehensive program combining visual presentations and specialized critical seminars. Al-Muftaha Village will host the forum, its architectural setting reflecting Asir’s identity and lending the event visual and intellectual depth rooted in its location.

The program includes critical sessions exploring the creative links between architectural space and cinematic vision, alongside panel discussions with filmmakers, concluding with a screening of a selected film followed by an open discussion with its director about the artistic visions and techniques used. Parallel cultural activities inspired by local identity will also be held, enhancing the audience experience and connecting it to the aesthetics of architecture and cinematic art.

The Film Commission says the Abha forum is part of the third edition of the International Film Criticism Conference, a national platform that brings together critical thought and cinematic creativity, aiming to empower talent, enrich visual awareness and develop analytical tools for enthusiasts and critics, strengthening the cultural movement and deepening the relationship between cinema and audiences locally and globally.