Events
The Arab Films Featured at Cannes Film Festival 2019

The Cannes Film Festival returned yesterday with a number of anticipated premieres; bringing the best of Hollywood and European film industry to the red carpet
The prestigious festival kicked off in the South of France, the eleven-day event shows appreciation for the global cinema, and we have a lot to look forward, because a number of Arab film are to featured during the exceptional film festival.
Among the biggest draws at this year’s festival is Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starring Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie in a Charles Manson-era comedy drama. Dexter Fletcher’s Elton John biopic Rocketman is also creating a buzz, as Bong Joon-ho’s return with Parasite. Ken Loach is also making a welcome comeback at the festival with his latest film, Sorry We Missed You.
Now back to the Arab Films that are giving us utter pride, here are the ones to keep an eye out for!
1-It Must Be Heaven
The only Arab film in the main Competition at @Festival_Cannes: IT MUST BE HEAVEN by Palestinian director Elia Suleiman. Suleiman won the Jury Prize at Cannes 2002 for DIVINE INTERVENTION, and the hype for his latest is off the charts. Stay tuned! #ITMUSTBEHEAVEN @SuleimanElia pic.twitter.com/grsn3cMs9V
— Arab Film and Media Institute (@arabfilmmedia) May 5, 2019
2- Papicha
The drama film tells the story of a young student with a passion for fashion, while Algeria faces the hardship of Civil War-era. Nedjma the university student, decides to stage a fashion show, amidst these hardships to uplift the spirit of her fellow students.
Algerian filmmaker Mounia Meddour has directed five documentaries in the past, and her 2011 debut short film Edwige was selected for the Dubai International Film Festival, the Gulf Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival. Papicha is her first full-length feature film.
3- Adam
ADAM, the latest film by #Moroccan director Maryam Touzani will screen in the "Un Certain Regard" Competition at #Cannes2019. Stay tuned for more, but for now, read the synopsis here: https://t.co/r6vfSk1lWP #SupportArabCinema #Cannes #Cannes72 #arab pic.twitter.com/LgmnA50IJr
— Arab Film and Media Institute (@arabfilmmedia) May 10, 2019
4- The Unknown Saint
Moroccan director Alaa Eddine Aljem’s comedy follows a young thief, who buries his stolen money, while escaping the police. After a decade, when the thief is released from prison, he goes back to look for his money but what he finds next was something he didn’t expect. A construction has taken place atop where he buried his money.
5- Tu Mérites un Amour
Tunisian–Algerian actress Hafsia Herzi makes her first foray into directing with Tu Mérites un Amour. The film follows the break-up of a young couple, Lila and Remi. Exploring the effects that the breakup left on both of them, when they parted ways.
Best of luck to them all!
Events
Beaches of the Kingdom Are About to Get Cleaner with This New Campaign

Beaches of the Kingdom are about to get cleaner with the ‘Let’s Make Them Cleaner’ initiative, which was launched on Friday by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Professional divers are taking part of the campaign as volunteers who are ready to clean the beaches and seabeds of Saudi Arabia, in order to save the marine environment from pollution.
The initiative is one of the events launched for Saudi and International Volunteer Day, which is celebrated every year on the 5th of December.
Entitles ‘Ataa Watan,’ the event covers several programs and activities across Saudi Arabia, they were held in partnership with government bodies and NGOs.
So far, the ministry launched five initiatives throughout this year, as part of the Voluntary Work Platform it launched on March 31, 2020.
Events
Winter Season Set to Kick Off With Over 300 Touristic Experiences in 17 Destinations!

Residents and visitors of the Kingdom are getting ready to welcome the new year with a number of touristic experiences, as the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) announced the kick off of its latest season of adventures on the 10th of December.
The season will until March 2021 and will offer 300 touristic experiences in 17 destinations in the Kingdom and 200 private sector establishments will take part.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that the winter season is part of the Saudi tourism system’s efforts with its partners to provide visitors with an amazing tourism experience, it’s a way for them to fall in love with the incredible winter climate of the Kingdom and discover its geographical diversity.
The minister also reassured visitors that the STA is extremely keen on coordinating with health authorities to implement precautionary measures against COVID-19 in order to ensure a safe tourism experience.
The STA is also quite keen on maintaining and implementing all the precautionary measures against the virus, in coordination with the health authorities.
“The authority’s efforts and initiatives are continuous with the launch of the Saudi winter season under the slogan ‘Winter is Around You’.” STA CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said.
“We count a lot on the creativity and efforts of the media to present the bright image of what the Kingdom has to offer; its charming nature and rich cultural heritage, the generosity and hospitality of its people, and its many landmarks, sites, and destinations that contribute into make the Kingdom a unique experience for all.” He added.
The tourist experience will cover campsite adventures, local cuisine, hiking, relaxation, beach activities and rural and adventure activities.
Events
Oasis Riyadh: A 3-Month Long Event Worth of Fun Activities & More to Kick Off!

Saudi Arabia is getting ready to celebrate the New Year with three months worth of celebrations!
The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and the International Company for Organizing Events and Activities, in cooperation with Seven Experience and Rotana audio and video company, has announced their latest project for luxury entertainment and it is set to kick off in the Kingdom’s desert.
The GEA will launch the “Oasis Riyadh” event in January and it will last for three months. The event falls under the “Ideas for Entertainment” initiative, launched by Turki Al-Shikh, chairman of the Board of Directors of GEA.
This is only the beginning! As there are 19 more entertaining ideas that Al-Shikh promised to throw, with precautionary measures in mind of course! The events will take place on a large area in one of the wild areas north of Riyadh, so that social distancing can be maintained.
According to organizer, visitors will get to enjoy a fun atmosphere with a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including concerts, sports games, and activities suitable for various visitors, with the presence of a group of the most famous international restaurants.
The event will include pavilions who will get to display and sell a wide range of unique products that goes along with the event’s theme.
The winter events will see performances from Saudi artists, featuring many aesthetic elements and entertainment nature.
We can’t wait for these festivities to kick off and we certainly can’t wait to witness what the new year will hold!
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