A professional film set featuring Saudi men in traditional attire working with a production crew. The setup includes cameras, lighting equipment, and boom microphones, illustrating the growing Saudi film industry.

Training Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Film Industry

Storytelling has always been central to Saudi culture, but now it’s finding a new medium—film. The Red Sea Labs – The Lodge workshops in Jeddah, held in partnership with TorinoFilmLab, are training a new generation of filmmakers, turning instinctive storytelling into cinematic craft.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 27th Feb 2025

Viewpoints

A rugged desert landscape in Saudi Arabia featuring towering cliffs and a winding stone pathway lined with solar-powered streetlights. The scene highlights the integration of renewable energy solutions in remote natural areas.

Green Gold: Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Pivot

In a study by Dr. Sebastian Sons and Dr. Tobias, Saudi Arabia emerges as a master of green diplomacy. By blending sustainable initiatives with strategic economic diversification, the piece reveals how the Kingdom is reshaping public discourse, energy policy, and global influence. With a mix of wit and seriousness, it asks: can this green pivot truly drive societal transformation beyond the confines of government-led projects?

Feb 25, 2025

A modern, well-lit classroom with a large musical note displayed on a whiteboard. The room is empty, featuring neatly arranged desks and chairs, with walls decorated with posters of musical notes and instruments. A piano and other musical instruments are

Striking the Right Chord: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift Through Music

Once confined to private gatherings, music in Saudi Arabia is now being actively nurtured. With 17,000 kindergarten teachers trained in music education and a growing rap and opera scene, the Kingdom is striking a bold new chord. But can this cultural shift evolve into a lasting creative industry?

Feb 13, 2025

An artistic tree with branches symbolizing tradition, modernity, community, and individuality, rooted in desert sand and reaching toward a futuristic skyline.

A Saudi Paradox: The Struggle to Belong at Home

Saudi Arabia’s sweeping reforms have reshaped its economy and infrastructure, but societal attitudes remain a battleground between tradition and modernity. For those who have long hoped for greater openness, the reality is more complex. While change is evident, deeply ingrained norms continue to define who truly 'belongs.' Having returned from Germany as a child, I learned firsthand how cultural expectations shape identity—and how difference is often tolerated rather than embraced.

Feb 4, 2025

Futuristic view of Saudi Arabia featuring a large solar power plant in a desert setting, with rows of solar panels extending to the horizon. A modern skyline with wind turbines and greenery symbolizes the country's sustainable energy future.

Saudi Arabia’s Path to Sustainability

Saudi Arabia is navigating the complex shift from oil dependency to a sustainable future, with ambitious projects like the Al Henakiyah solar plant leading the way.

Jan 21, 2025

A split image showing a Saudi man in traditional attire working on a laptop in a modern home office on the left, and a Saudi woman in a contemporary abaya working with a tablet in her stylish home office on the right. The scene highlights balance, profess

Freelancing in Saudi Arabia: Reinvention or Safety Net?

A decade ago, freelancing in Saudi Arabia was seen as unstable and unconventional. Today, with over 2.25 million freelancers contributing significantly to the economy, it’s reshaping both the labor market and societal perceptions.

Jan 16, 2025

A conceptual illustration of diplomacy showing a symbolic bridge connecting two cultures, with a traditional Middle Eastern door and palm tree on one side and a globe on the other. Two hands reach out in the center, symbolizing mutual understanding and co

A Handshake That Shook a Debate

When Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Shar declined to shake German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s hand, it sparked a storm of criticism, exposing the fragility of cultural understanding in diplomacy.

Jan 5, 2025

The Riyadh Metro marks a bold shift from car-dependent commutes to a modern public transport system, signaling a transformation in urban mobility across Saudi Arabia. (Source: Shutterstock)

Riyadh Metro: A Ticket to Change?

For decades, cars have dominated Saudi Arabia’s transport landscape, shaping the way people move and interact. Now, the Riyadh Metro promises a new era—but will it succeed in shifting social perceptions and changing the Kingdom’s car-centric habits?

Dec 12, 2024

Tradition Meets Modernity: How Evolving Norms Are Reshaping Marriage in the Arab World. (Source: Shutterstock)

The Handbook of Marriage in the Arab World Explores Changing Norms

How are socio-economic reforms reshaping marriage in the Arab world? The Handbook of Marriage in the Arab Worldoffers a timely exploration of this question, bringing together voices from across the region to analyze the impact of education, workforce participation, and cultural evolution on the institution of marriage in the 21st century.

Dec 5, 2024

Visitors at Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, highlighting cultural heritage and modern development in Saudi tourism.

Saudi Arabia Reinvents Itself Beyond Oil

Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification is transforming its workforce, fostering innovation in non-oil sectors, and redefining traditions, reflecting a society in motion.

Nov 28, 2024

The Gulf states: A region defined by shared history, economic ambition, and evolving cooperation amid global challenges. (Source: Shutterstock)

The Gulf’s Story Gets an AI Rewrite

As social media and AI reshape public discourse, journalist Aya Batrawy calls for more nuanced reporting to reflect the Gulf’s rich diversity, emphasizing that the region is far more than a singular narrative. Her insights shed light on how each Gulf state follows a unique path, shaped by distinct ambitions and challenges.

Nov 27, 2024

Saudi Gen Z embracing cultural roots and modern opportunities in a transforming society.

Saudi Arabia’s Gen Z Rewrites the Rules

Saudi Arabia’s Gen Z stands at a crossroads, balancing deep family traditions with their personal ambitions. This generation is redefining identity with creativity, resilience, and a profound respect for their heritage.

Nov 11, 2024

A necklace resembling the one Zaynab bint Muhammad used to ransom her husband, highlighting the cultural value of family artifacts.. (DALL -E)

Saudi Arabia Finds Its Future in Its Past

As Saudi Arabia undergoes rapid transformation, the challenge lies in embracing progress while staying true to deeply rooted traditions. The story of Zaynab bint Muhammad and Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi’ offers timeless lessons on love, loyalty, and resilience—values that still guide Saudi society through change.

Nov 7, 2024