RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission is taking part in the 79th Venice International Film Festival, which begins on Aug. 31 and continues until Sept. 10 in Italy. Organized by La Biennale di Venezia, it is the world’s oldest film festival, and attracts each year a large audience through events that include screenings and panel discussions. Through its participation in this festival, the Film Commission aims to strengthen its presence in international forums and enhance its relations with filmmakers worldwide. It also seeks to promote its incentive program to attract international film productions to the Kingdom. The commission will present workshops at the festival to showcase the program’s advantages to international filmmakers. During its participation, the commission will highlight the film industry in the Kingdom and its successes. It also aspires to support Saudi talent by enhancing its presence in major film platforms and finding opportunities for development and growth through international partnerships. According to the La Biennale di Venezia website, “the aim of the festival is to raise awareness and promote international cinema in all its forms as art, entertainment and as an industry, in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. “The festival also organizes retrospectives and tributes to major figures as a contribution toward a better understanding of the history of cinema.” A number of films from the Middle East have been announced as part of this year’s line-up.