Han Sang-jun, left, chair of the Korean Film Council, and Abdullah Al Qahtani, CEO of the Saudi Film Commission, attend an agreement ceremony at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Korean Film Council

The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) and the Saudi Film Commission (SFC) launched an executive collaboration program to strengthen cooperation in the film sector, foster cultural exchange and promote the film industry's growth between the two countries, they said Friday.

The partnership, which builds upon a memorandum of understanding the two signed in 2019, aims to accelerate knowledge-sharing, production cooperation, talent development and technological innovation in the industry.

It highlights both sides' dedication to supporting filmmakers and creating more international opportunities for creatives.

As part of this agreement, the two will jointly organize training and development programs, workshops, masterclasses and mentorship opportunities led by industry experts. These initiatives will help filmmakers in both countries enhance their expertise in areas such as production, animation, screenwriting and directing.

The partnership also encourages greater collaboration in film production, promoting co-development and co-production projects between filmmakers of the two countries.

To facilitate these efforts, both organizations will arrange industry networking events, including meetings at major film festivals such as the Busan International Film Festival and the Red Sea International Film Festival, Saudi Arabia's film festival launched in 2019.

Furthermore, the agreement focuses on expanding the distribution and promotion of Korean and Saudi films by supporting screenings, cultural exchanges and festival programming that showcase the creative talent of both nations.

The partnership also emphasizes knowledge-sharing in film policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as collaboration on advancements in film technology and innovation, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital production techniques.

"We have had many collaborations, including a boot camp with MBC Academy in Saudi Arabia last November," Han Sang-jun, chair of the KOFIC, said. "We hope the cooperation program signed today will give this exchange greater momentum."

"This partnership with the Korean Film Council is a milestone in our ongoing efforts to elevate Saudi Arabia's film industry and strengthen its connections with global markets. South Korea has a dynamic and influential film sector, and by working together, we can create more opportunities for our filmmakers, foster creative exchange and drive the growth of high-quality film productions in both countries," Abdullah Al Qahtani, CEO of the Saudi Film Commission, said.