The 4th Jeddah Film Festival 2009 opens today and will screen films from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries until Wednesday at the King Abdul Aziz Cultural Center Abrug Al-Raghama. At a press conference Ayman Halawani, the director general of Rotana Studios the Festival's sponsor, Mamdouh Salem, the director of the Festival, and Ibrahim Badi the director of media relationship at Rotana announced that more than 100 films will be shown during the five-day Festival and a workshop with British film directors will be held with the cooperation of the British Council. For the first time, Yemeni feature films will be shown in a Saudi film festival and eight feature-length films from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE will be screened for the entertainment of the audience. “The authorities have selected 71 films for the competition,” said Salem. “Apart from this, there will be 48 short films, four documentaries, five cartoons, and six advertising films,” he said. “There are 45 Saudi films in the competition, two of which are long feature-length films,” he added. “Also, on the sidelines of the Festival, there will be 35 films, including the Japanese film “School in the Forest,” he explained. Rotana Studios is the official sponsor of the Film Festival and has made available SR200,000 in prize money to be divided between winners in the film and scenario competitions. There are 13 prizes for films and four for scenarios,” said Halawani. He also said that the Jeddah Film Festival has been organized with the support of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, chairman of Rotana Cinema of Saudi Arabia. Salem pointed out that the workshop is being organized under the title “ The Film Industry” with the collaboration of the British Council and that two seminars will be held under the titles “The dialectic of the novel and the recipient of cinema” by Abdah Khalal and “Factors of production” by Hassan Asiri. “The Festival will welcome Gulf artists Saad Al-Firj, Saad Khizr and Faiz Al-Malki,” said Salem. “In the past, only Saudi films took part in the competition, but this year the contest has opened its doors to films from all the Gulf countries. Some of the films feature Gulf stars, such as, Jassim Al-Nabhan, Abdul Mohsin Al-Nimr, Jumaan Al-Ruwai, Ahmed Iraj, Fatima Abdulraheem , Haya Sheaibi, Lamia Tarek, Mishaal al Zanquwi and from Egypt Khaled Saleh and Alaa Marsi. At the conclusion of the press conference, Ayman Halawani, Rotana's director-general, announced the establishment of a Saudi Movie Club which will bring Saudi filmmakers together under the umbrella of the Rotana Group of Companies. “The club, to be led by Rotana Studios, will seek to produce a film every year and to support the development of talent in Saudi Arabia, through the mechanisms established by the board members of the club. The announcement of the club's board members will be made at the end of Jeddah Film Festival,” he said. – SGKing Abdul Aziz Cultural Center Abrug Al-Raghama Saturday, July 18 9:00AM – Opening Ceremony 10:00 AM 12 Noon – “The Losing Bet” by Dr. Faisal Al-Tafi (Yemen) Sunday, July 19 5:00PM – 1:30 AM “Introduction” by Abdul Mohsin (KSA); “Night at Paradise” by Jumah Al- Sahli (UAE); “In three years you will be fine” by Hozan Badaud (KSA); “The End, No” by Mahmood Al-Sheikh (Bahrain); “Eyes Without Sleep” by Ra?id Ismaeal (KSA); “Reckless Deterioration” by Mohamed Hallal (KSA); “Life and Soul” by Abdullah Auad (KSA); “Palestine” by Mishari Hallal (KSA); “Islam Teaches Us Good Things” by Jasir Al- Jahni (KSA), “Last Day” by Mohammed Al-Hamod (KSA); and “The Ethiopian Journey Never Ends” by Ali Khalwi (KSA). Monday, July 20 5:00PM – 1:30 AM There will be 14 short films and two long feature-length films, namely, “Revenge” by Waleed Othman (KSA) and “Declaration of State” by Khalid Al-Shimry (Kuwait). There will also be a documentary film “We Manifest” by Bader Al-Hamoudh (KSA). Tuesday, July 21 5:00PM – 1:30 AM There will be ten short films, four cartoons and two feature length films. The cartoons are “Quran is Our Light” by Abdullah Aud (KSA); “Be Jee” by Mohammed Tamimi (KSA); “Adventure of Anmol” by Mohammed Al-Aubaid (KSA); “Dream of life” by Jaseem Al-Akaleei. The feature-length films are “Cute” by Hassan Ibrahim (Kuwait) and “Last chance” by Hasan Abdal (Kuwait). Wednesday, July 22 5:00PM – 1:30 AM Twelve short films will be shown with one documentary and a feature-length film “The Circle” by Nawaf Al
