A three-part cultural film festival which aims to introduce the rich culture of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and break age-old stereotypes of the region and people will open in Singapore on March 23. 

“Through the JISR Film Festival, we aim to introduce audiences in Singapore to the rich cultural heritage of the GCC countries. Singapore has enjoyed decades of cooperation and trade with the GCC that dates back to the 1930s,” Dalal AlGhawas, founder of co-organizer SWAPAC, told China Daily.

Audiences will have access to a curated selection of 17 films, representing the diverse cinematic landscape of the GCC, along the themes of sustainability, animation, sports and female empowerment 

“By immersing viewers in modern Arabian Gulf culture through film and art, our objective is to not only celebrate our ties with the GCC but also to foster meaningful connections and break age-old stereotypes,” she added.

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The GCC consists of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The event, which will run until March 31, will feature the works and perspectives of established and emerging filmmakers from the GCC countries. 

The nine-day “JISR (the Arabic word for “bridge”) Film Festival”, with a one-day business conference in between, is co-organized by food security consultancy firm SWAPAC in Singapore and Singapore-based creative agency Cinepluto in partnership with the Singapore Business Federation, Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, Smart Cities Network and indie cinema operator The Projector.

Audiences will have access to a curated selection of 17 films, representing the diverse cinematic landscape of the GCC, along the themes of sustainability, animation, sports and female empowerment. Screenings will take place at The Projector in Singapore.

This includes the exclusive premieres of To Connect, a behind-the-scenes documentary by director Amal Al-Muftah about the opening ceremony of the FIFA 2022 World Cup; and Starchaser, an animated, sci-fi fantasy drama about a young refugee girl who bravely faces many hardships in her journey to overcome the loss of her family and home world.

Other notable filmmakers featured include Nayla Al-Khaja, the UAE’s first female director who was involved in the Dubai Expo 2020 promotional film Road to Fulfillment; Mansoor Al Dhaheri, director of Swim62, a documentary that made waves at the recent COP28 summit in Dubai, addressing ocean conservation through the lens of sports; and Shahad Ameen, well-known for her award-winning film Scales.

The event will also include a business conference, dubbed “Beyond Borders & Horizons: A GCC-APAC Partnership” on March 27, offering a platform for vital discussions on energy transition, sustainability, and other key topics within the GCC and ASEAN regions. It will be held at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove.

AlGhawas said Singapore's unique socio-economic and multicultural landscape positions it as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, notably the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN

The conference streams will include film and digital art, AI-driven solutions for media and entertainment, energy transition, smart cities, sustainability and ESG (Environmental, social, and governance).

AlGhawas said Singapore's unique socio-economic and multicultural landscape positions it as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, notably the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. 

“Leveraging this, we envision facilitating the GCC's expansion into diverse trade industries beyond oil and gas, while forging strategic partnerships within the region. There is immense potential for fostering cross-cultural awareness and unlocking untapped mutual growth opportunities. In future, we plan to adopt a similar model and potentially leverage cities like Hong Kong as a strategic gateway to new markets,” said AlGhawas, who is a permanent resident of Hong Kong.

An exclusive film studio day tour organized in partnership with Iskandar Malaysia Studios will take place on March 28.

In addition to the film festival, business conference and film studio tour, the JISR is also participating in the ecoHarmony Fest - Ramadan Edition, which is a 50-day festival featuring a bazaar with up to 300 retail and food stalls, accompanied by stage performances and a series of talks on topics such as parenting, healthy living, and entrepreneurship.

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“Drawing inspiration from Japan and South Korea's successful media marketing campaigns, we adopt a similar approach for JISR in which we envision arts and films as a bridge to reach more audiences … as well as position the GCC countries as a premier tourist destination,” said AlGhawas.

“In the process of orchestrating the JISR Film Festival, we've recognized the paramount importance of inclusive programming. By curating a diverse selection of films and conference tracks, we've created a dynamic platform for dialogue, discovery, and cross-cultural exchange between the GCC, Singapore, and the broader ASEAN region,” said AlGhawas.

“Our collaborative efforts aim to provide an inclusive space that resonates with audiences from all walks of life, fostering a shared appreciation for cultural diversity and driving forward progressive partnerships,” she added.

Contact the writer at jan@chinadailyapac.com