RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched a talent-development program for the film industry as part of one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs, Quality of Life. The talent-development program includes training sessions and short workshops, in cooperation with international institutions. The program is part of the ministry’s attempts to develop the local film sector in the Kingdom, create job opportunities, and increase the Kingdom’s cultural participation internationally. The first phase of the talent-development initiative consists of three different programs. The first — on filmmaking in general — will be run in cooperation with the British Film Institute (BFI. The two-week program in Britain will be open to 12 students and will run from October 27 until November 11. The students will participate in an “intensive training course and Master Class” with British directors and producers, and go on a field visit to the renowned Pinewood Studios, home to the James Bond film franchise. The second program — on film production — will run simultaneously and is open to 20 students. Once again, the BFI and Pinewood are involved and the course will cover all aspects of film production, including lighting, sound, sets and costumes, script writing and editing, directing and location management. The third program, in cooperation with the University of Southern California (USC), focuses on acting for contemporary cinema and television and will take place in Riyadh from December 8-11. There will be places for 14-16 students. The whole program covers the art of filmmaking, from screenwriting to post-production, through practical experience and as part of different working groups that include indoor and outdoor photography, directing actors, creating a montage, lighting, and sound. Aspiring filmmakers wishing to apply for the training programs can register on https://engage.moc.gov.sa/film-talent between Wednesday, October 9, and Monday, October 14 for the filmmaking programs in Great Britain, and between October 20 and November 20 for the acting program in Riyadh.