RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission recently launched the fourth session of the Filmmakers Program and the first edition of the Kader Program at a ceremony that brought together novices and professionals. The ceremony was held at the Muvi Boulevard Riyadh City Cinema, in the presence of Abdullah Al-Eyaf, the commission’s CEO, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. Al-Eyaf spoke of the commission’s role in developing talent and empowering the competencies of Saudis in filmmaking through training opportunities with competitive training standards. He added that learning about the latest technologies and tools helped create films that left a local and international cinematic imprint, thanks to the supervision of the most prominent trainers, training institutes and international production houses. Al-Eyaf said that the training programs had different target audiences — professionals and beginners — and stressed the importance of empowering creative talents to help raise the quality of Saudi cinematic productions. He added: “In the Filmmakers Program this year we aim to train 4,000 people in 20 areas of the film value chain, hold 150 training workshops, and 10 master class courses in 13 regions around the Kingdom. “In the Kader Program we will also target 50 promising national talents, in partnership with approximately 10 international cinema production houses.” The Filmmakers Program — which gives three different tracks for beginners and professionals — offers a package of in-person and remote training courses, master classes, and artistic residencies that aim to empower national talent with the best professional training programs, improve the quality of local cinematic content, and develop film enthusiasts’ passion for filmmaking. The Kader Program targets filmmaking professionals and aims to provide training opportunities in cooperation with the most prominent international production houses, through their presence within an international cinema work team with the best experts and specialists from around the world. It also aims to encourage and refine Saudi talents in the field and enhance their presence in the international film industry. The two training programs and other initiatives and programs come within the framework of the Saudi Film Commission’s endeavor to support and empower local talent to help build the Kingdom’s film industry. They aim to meet the needs and aspirations of filmmakers and help produce cinematic works of international standard to compete on the world stage.