The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival witnessed the collaboration between Film AlUla and the acclaimed director, producer, and actress Katie Holmes (known for her work in Rare Objects, Alone Together, and Batman Begins). Their joint announcement marked the commencement of the second phase of "AlUla Creates," an innovative platform aimed at fostering creativity, empowering future generations in the fields of film, arts, and fashion. At an exclusive event in Cannes, Holmes, along with AlUla Creates ambassadors Eva Herzigova and renowned Saudi film actor Mila Al Zahrani, joined Charlene Deleon-Jones from Film AlUla for a panel discussion to delve into the initiative.
The second phase of AlUla Creates introduces a mentoring program for aspiring Saudi female filmmakers who aspire to shape the future of the industry. This program aims to elevate their careers by providing mentorship from esteemed industry professionals and equipping them with the necessary tools to further develop their projects.
Leading the AlUla Creates film program is Katie Holmes herself, a celebrated director, actor, and producer known for her recent work in the captivating feature adaptation Rare Objects and the 2022 romantic drama Alone Together. Holmes has garnered recognition across television, theater, and film, particularly for her breakout role in "Dawson's Creek" and her contributions to blockbuster hits like Batman Begins. Her involvement also extends to supporting independent filmmaking.
With the support of Film AlUla through the AlUla Creates Initiative, Katie Holmes will collaborate to identify three emerging female Saudi filmmakers. Throughout the year, Holmes will provide mentorship, commencing with a location scouting trip to the awe-inspiring region of AlUla in North West Saudi Arabia, where they will develop and structure a concept for a short film. The winning concept, to be announced later this year, is scheduled for production in the first quarter of 2024 in AlUla.
The initial phase of AlUla Creates was launched in March 2023 alongside the 95th Academy Awards, with a specific focus on fashion. Founding Ambassadors Helena Christensen and Eva Herzigova partnered with Saudi female fashion designers Alia and Abeer Olaif from Atelier Hekayat and Arwa Al Ammari from ArAm to create two bespoke looks for the Oscars Vanity Fair red carpet in LA. Both supermodels will continue their role as ambassadors for the AlUla Creates program, supporting emerging female creative talent from the region and playing an integral part in the project's future plans. The Saudi designers will also contribute to the film phase, working closely with the selected project's filmmaker to design and create costumes that bring the story to life.
Charlene Deleon-Jones, Executive Director at Film AlUla, expressed excitement about the collaboration with Katie Holmes, acknowledging her extensive experience in the entertainment industry. Deleon-Jones believes that Holmes will offer a unique and experienced perspective to the program's participants. Holmes' profound understanding of the craft of filmmaking, coupled with her discipline and vision, will inspire and provide practical skills to the mentees. Through this collaboration, AlUla aims to champion emerging filmmaking talent at every stage of their creative journey, while further establishing AlUla as a hub for creative content production and fostering a diverse and vibrant film culture.
Katie Holmes herself expressed her belief in empowering women worldwide to pursue their ambitions, expressing her joy in joining the Film AlUla Creates Program to support and enable female filmmakers from the region. She eagerly anticipates experiencing the creativity these women have to offer and sharing her experiences and perspectives from behind the camera.