(Korean Film Council)
(Korean Film Council)

The Korean Film Council has launched a global film education initiative in Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Korean Academy of Film Arts and NEOM Company to assist emerging Saudi filmmakers.

Director Kim Tae-yong of "Late Autumn" and "Wonderland" is heading the six-day intensive program that began Jan. 21, joined by "Wonderland" producer Park Kwan-soo and KAFA professor Na Kyung-chan. The masterclass breaks new ground by incorporating OpenAI's "Sora" for AI-powered storyboarding. It builds on Kim's recent AI-themed "Wonderland," which screened to international audiences at the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in July 2024.

"The passion and creativity of Saudi Arabia's emerging creators will shape the future of their film industry," said KAFA Director Jo Geun-sik, noting that this marks the school's third Saudi collaboration following programs in Riyadh and Jeddah.

"I have never formally received training in film direction," said participant Fatima Albanawi, director of the upcoming Netflix feature "Basma."

"Learning from Korean filmmakers during Saudi Arabia's New Wave Cinema era is an invaluable opportunity."

The initiative follows KOFIC's October 2023 memorandum with NEOM Company, adding to KAFA's expanding global footprint.

Beyond the Middle East, KAFA has ramped up its global presence in recent years, establishing partnerships with France's CNC and La Femis film school, launching programs through Vietnam's CJ Cultural Foundation, and forging collaborations with Japanese institutions UniJapan and Tokyo University of the Arts in 2023.