On an exceptional evening that brought together the brightest stars of art, sports, and media in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, His Excellency Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), honored Mr. Nasser bin Ghanem Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of beIN Media Group and President of Paris Saint-Germain, with the “Diamond Entertainment Makers Award.” This prestigious recognition came during the sixth edition of the “Joy Awards” ceremony, which has become one of the most prominent entertainment events in the region and the world.

Background of the event and its growing importance

The JOY AWARDS ceremony is an integral part of Riyadh Season, the ambitious initiative under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism and entertainment destination. Since its inception, the ceremony has garnered significant international attention, annually bringing together leading figures in film, drama, music, and sports to celebrate their achievements and honor their inspiring careers. This event reflects the Kingdom's remarkable transformation in the entertainment sector and its pursuit of establishing itself as a regional hub for creative industries.

A well-deserved tribute to an influential figure

The awarding of the Diamond Award to Nasser Al-Khelaifi recognizes his pivotal and influential role in shaping the landscape of the sports entertainment and media industry on the international stage. Al-Khelaifi not only serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of beIN Media Group, one of the world's largest sports media networks, but also chairs the Board of Directors of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which has transformed Paris Saint-Germain into one of the giants of European football. This honor highlights Al-Khelaifi's significant contributions to the development of global sports content and its successful integration with the modern entertainment industry, making him one of the most prominent leaders in this vital field.

Regional and international implications

This honor carries dimensions that extend far beyond simply celebrating a prominent figure; it symbolizes the growing cooperation and integration among the major players in the entertainment and sports industries in the Gulf region. The presence of a figure of Nasser Al-Khelaifi's stature and his recognition in the heart of Riyadh reinforces JOY AWARDS' position as a unifying international platform and sends a positive message about the future of regional partnerships in the creative and economic sectors. It also underscores that sports have become an integral part of the global entertainment ecosystem, and that investing in them is an investment in a soft power with far-reaching influence.

Words from the heart and a message to the youth

Upon receiving the award, Al-Khelaifi expressed his profound happiness at this honor, extending his deepest gratitude to His Excellency Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh for this generous gesture. He emphasized his pride in being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia among this distinguished group of innovators. Al-Khelaifi also delivered an inspiring message to Arab youth, urging them to hold fast to their ambitions and work hard, noting that persistence and perseverance are the only way to realize their dreams and transform them into tangible achievements.

At the heart of the rapidly evolving cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Media Forum as a vital platform, bringing together leading figures in art, film, and production to discuss the future of content creation. In its current edition, the forum hosts eight prominent figures in intensive dialogue sessions aimed at analyzing the current reality, envisioning the future, and answering the pivotal question: How can Saudi content compete globally amidst the rapid pace of technological transformation?

Background: A cultural and cinematic renaissance

This forum comes at a time of historic transformation in Saudi Arabia. With the launch of Vision 2030, the culture and entertainment sector has witnessed significant leaps forward, most notably the return of cinemas in 2018 after a decades-long absence. This decision not only opened doors to international theaters but also ignited a spark of creativity among a new generation of Saudi directors, writers, and producers who found support and opportunities to present their local stories with a contemporary artistic vision. Discussions about the identity of Saudi cinema, its accessibility, and the challenges of production have become crucial for this nascent and ambitious industry, and these are precisely the issues the forum aims to address.

Discussion topics: Between the death of cinema and the birth of innovation

The expert discussions are spread across several main sessions, most notably the session “The Death of Cinema: Did Platforms Kill the Big Screen or Redefine It?” This session features artist and cultural consultant Abdulilah Al-Sinani , who analyzes the changing mood of the audience, and director Abdulaziz Al-Shalahi , who addresses the impact of platforms on film language and narrative structure. They are joined by Hanaa Al-Omair , President of the Cinema Association, who presents a strategic vision on how traditional cinema can survive, and Manal Al-Owaibil , an expert in corporate communications, who connects cultural narrative with creating lasting impact.

Another session, titled “Local Innovations with a Global Touch,” will feature veteran producer Hassan Asiri , who will share his decades of experience in bringing local productions to the Arab world. He will be joined by artist Fahad Albutairi , who will share his expertise in establishing successful digital platforms such as “Telfaz11,” and actor Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj , who will highlight the comedy industry as a bridge to connect with global audiences while preserving local flavor.

Drama and national values: from local to global

In the session “From Epic to Screen: Employing Heroism in Drama to Promote National Values,” director Tawfiq Al-Zaidi , who recently made history with his film “Noura” as the first Saudi film to compete in the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, will discuss how to draw inspiration from epics and history to create dramas that promote national values ​​and resonate globally, thus opening the door for Saudi drama to become a cultural ambassador for the Kingdom.

Importance and expected impact

These sessions are not merely intellectual discussions; they serve as a compass guiding the future of investment and policy in the Saudi media and entertainment sector. The forum's outcomes are expected to contribute to charting a clear roadmap for content creators, encouraging public-private partnerships, and strengthening the Kingdom's position as a leading regional hub for creative industries. This is a strategic step towards building a diversified knowledge economy and leveraging "soft power" to present a new image of Saudi Arabia to the world.