Art Jameel has launched the Creative Lab Film Academy, a six-month filmmaking programme in Saudi Arabia developed in collaboration with Apple. The initiative targets early- and mid-career filmmakers working in the Kingdom and positions itself at the intersection of film training, production support, and accessible digital tools. While modest in scale, the programme reflects a broader shift in Saudi Arabia’s film sector toward skills development grounded in practical production rather than purely academic study.
The Creative Lab Film Academy will select three fiction short film projects through an open call. Selected teams will take part in a structured process that covers development, shooting, and post-production, ending with public screenings in autumn 2026. All films produced through the academy will be shot on iPhone and edited on Mac, placing Apple devices at the centre of the programme’s technical framework. This approach aligns with a growing global acceptance of mobile and lightweight production tools, particularly for short-form and independent filmmaking.
Technical mentorship will be delivered through Today at Apple, Apple’s global creative education platform. Apple specialists and collaborators will lead workshops focused on mobile cinematography, sound capture, editing workflows, and post-production processes using Apple software and hardware. Rather than presenting the technology as a substitute for craft, the programme frames Apple’s tools as a practical entry point for filmmakers working with limited resources, while still operating within professional standards.
The programme is developed by Art Jameel Cinema and will be anchored at Hayy Cinema, Saudi Arabia’s first independent audiovisual centre. Workshops, mentoring sessions, and screenings will primarily take place at Hayy Cinema, with additional on-site support provided across Saudi Arabia depending on filming locations. This structure allows Apple-led technical training to be integrated directly into production environments rather than remaining confined to classroom settings.
Mentorship will be provided by a group of regional and international industry figures, including Saudi screenwriter and filmmaker Hani Kadour and producer Fanny Lamothe. Their involvement is intended to support creative development, production decision-making, and professional readiness, complementing the Apple-focused technical instruction.
By combining Apple’s consumer technology ecosystem with local mentorship and exhibition infrastructure, the Creative Lab Film Academy adds another layer to Saudi Arabia’s evolving film landscape. Submissions for the inaugural cohort are open until February 15, 2026, with the first completed films scheduled to premiere later that year.
