Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Effat University's Visual and Digital Productions Department hosted a delegation from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts last week.

The delegation consisted of three women who came to empower and support Effat students of visual and digital production.

Effat University’s newest department offers a bachelor's degree program on film production and animation with a focus on script writing, production and interactive media. The degree is offered in partnership with the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Dr. Mohamed Ghazala, the department's chair, gave the delegation a tour of the campus and the department’s facilities. In turn, the delegation gave a series of workshops to the students of the department and other invitees on various topics. The workshops revolved around exposing the students to cinematic and dramatic effects in filmmaking, an overview on the great American director Spike Lee and his films and the importance of studying abroad to a filmmaker.

Visual and Digital Productions Student Club Leader Ghaidaa Bin Mahfouz spoke on the occasion representing the students.

“I am extremely honored to be the leader of the club. My job is to make sure that all of the students in the department have equal opportunity to learn and develop their skills. Our future plans include trips to national and international production houses, series of talks and workshops and many more,” said Bin Mahfouz.

She added her goal was to encourage collaboration between the different streams of the department and to crowd-fund future film projects.