2026/07/14 17:45

The Saudi Criticism Lab, in partnership with the New Filmmakers Club, is organizing a critical symposium titled "The Feminine Perspective and the Critique of Saudi Cinema" on Monday evening, July 20, in Riyadh. The event aims to highlight the presence of the female perspective in film criticism, explore the contributions of Saudi female critics in reading and analyzing cinematic works, and enrich the critical dialogue on the development of Saudi cinema.

The symposium is an extension of the partnership between the Saudi Criticism Lab and the New Filmmakers Club, as part of initiatives aimed at enhancing critical discourse, highlighting the multiplicity of voices and diversity of readings, and opening spaces for dialogue among critics, enthusiasts, and filmmakers, thereby supporting the cinematic and cultural scene in the Kingdom.

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The symposium will discuss three main themes: the female perspective in critical writing, the critical article and its impact on cinema, and the specificity of Saudi film criticism. This will be done by reviewing women's experiences in criticism, analyzing their presence in the cultural scene, and discussing their contributions to developing cinematic critical discourse.

Saudi film criticism

The symposium also aims to explore women's experiences in film criticism, read the female perspective in analyzing the cinematic image, and enhance dialogue between critics and filmmakers, enriching the discussion on the reality of film criticism in the Kingdom and highlighting the diversity of critical schools and multiple angles of reading and analysis.

Participants in the symposium include Maha Sultan, Asmaa Awad, and Samahir Al-Dhamin, who will present their experiences in writing and film criticism and discuss the most prominent challenges and opportunities facing Saudi film criticism, in addition to the impact of the critical article on reading cinematic works and guiding cultural discussion around them.

Developing the film industry

The symposium seeks to highlight the importance of film criticism as a partner in developing the film industry by providing objective readings of artistic works, promoting a culture of dialogue, and encouraging research and critical studies, keeping pace with the growing momentum of Saudi cinema and enhancing its presence locally and internationally. The symposium is scheduled to be held from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM, with the attendance of those interested in cinema and criticism, as part of a series of events organized by the Saudi Criticism Lab aimed at developing critical awareness, enriching the cultural scene, and promoting specialized critical practices in the film sector.