Saudi Film Commission, Korean Film Council sign strategic partnership

​The Saudi Film Commission and the Korean Film Council have signed a strategic partnership to enhance international production.

The signing between Korean Film Council (KOFIC) chair Han Sang-jun and Saudi Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al Qahtani took place on February 21 at the Korea Press Center in Seoul. It builds on the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in 2019.

The key areas of the partnership include: developing training programs to upskill filmmakers, facilitating co-productions through industry meetings, supporting film distribution and talent promotion, exchanging insights on film policies and regulations, and cooperation in innovation and exchanging expertise on film production. 

Cooperative meetings are set to be facilitated at both country’s major film festivals: the Busan International Film Festival and the Red Sea International Film Festival.

The Korean Academy of Film Arts, under the Korean Film Council, previously ran on a training boot camp with Saudi’s MBC Academy in November 2024. The Saudi Film Commission joined the Asian Film Commission Network (AFCNet) in January 2025.

At the siging, Al Qahtani said, “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.”