Crystal Magazine Sep 17, 2026
Cinema Takes Center Stage at La Maison de France in Jeddah for the Sixth Edition of the 48-Hour Film Challenge
On September 16, His Excellency Mohamed Nehad, Consul General of France in Jeddah, hosted a reception at La Maison de France to mark the sixth edition of the 48-Hour Film Challenge, an international short film competition in which participants take on the creative challenge of writing, filming, and editing a film within just 48 hours.
This year’s edition once again highlighted the creativity, vitality, and dynamism of a new generation of Saudi filmmakers. Fifteen teams took part in the challenge, successfully completing original films in just two days.
In his remarks during the reception, the Consul General emphasized the importance of cultural cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the field of cinema, which is witnessing growing development and new opportunities for exchange and collaboration between professionals in both countries. He also stressed the importance of supporting young talent and creating new opportunities for them to learn and develop, with culture and the arts serving as a bridge for closer ties and dialogue between French and Saudi societies.
The reception provided an opportunity for participants, industry professionals, and French and Saudi partners to meet, exchange experiences, and strengthen cooperation in the field of cinema.
As part of the competition, the professional days organized with the support and guidance of the Consulate General of France offered finalists an intensive program of training, mentoring, and professional networking. The program included specialized courses and workshops covering acting, directing, production, distribution, and screenwriting, led by a distinguished group of Saudi and French professionals.
French director Houda Benyamina, winner of the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for her film Divines, also joined the jury for this edition, providing an additional opportunity for young Saudi talents to connect with professionals from the French film industry.
The opportunities offered through this experience extend beyond the competition itself. Winners will have the opportunity to continue developing their artistic careers in France through an immersive experience in the world of cinema, participation in the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, and an artistic residency in France.
Through its sixth edition, the 48-Hour Film Challenge continues to provide a platform for exchange, networking, and the sharing of expertise, while strengthening cinematic cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia and supporting a new generation of filmmaking talent.
