Katie Holmes to mentor Saudi filmmakers
The actress is joining hands with Film AlUla to help women excel in filmmaking.
Saudi filmmakers, this one’s for you. Renowned actress Katie Holmes is coming to your service. The Dawson’s Creek and Batman Begins star has made a remarkable announcement at the Cannes Film Festival which is sure to make you jump up in excitement.
Katie will be participating in a filmmaking mentoring program aimed at nurturing emerging Saudi female filmmakers. You heard that right. The program is part of the Film AlUla initiative, which focuses on supporting talent in film, arts and fashion in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to Variety, Katie shared that women from all parts of the world should be empowered to pursue their ambitions. “I am very excited to get to know these women and hear their stories and help them track these stories,” she added. The actress was keen on sharing her industry knowledge to guide and inspire the mentees.
With Film AlUla, Katie will identify three up-and-coming female Saudi directors whom she will mentor throughout the year. The mentorship journey will commence with a location scouting trip to AlUla. Together, they will develop and structure a short film concept. But wait, it gets better. The winning concept will be slated for production in the first quarter of 2024. Talk about working on a film with one of the world’s biggest stars.
Katie’s involvement in mentoring Saudi female filmmakers is an inspiring step toward fostering talent and diversity in the film industry. Her commitment to empowering women from all parts of the world and highlighting positive developments in Saudi Arabia showcases the power of mentorship and the transformative impact it can have on emerging filmmakers.
With her guidance and AlUla’s initiative, the future of Saudi Arabian cinema looks promising. The world can anticipate the emergence of new and compelling stories from this less-explored yet very vibrant region. Saudi Arabia, it’s your time to shine – brighter.
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