Saudi Gazette

BEING Saudi Arabia's first female anime producer is definitely a title to dream of, but Dr. Basma Al-Sinari, assistant professor of criminology and behavioral disorders at King Abdulaziz University, is nowhere close to her longtime dream.

Her film Silent Harp, based on local heritage and culture, got adopted by the Creative Arab Studio in Abu Dhabi while Souls Harvester, another of her productions, took part in various international film festivals. Despite such international recognition, Al-Sinari feels that financing her films is a big challenge.

Self-funded Al-Sinari needs financing support for creating her shows. She spoke to Saudi Gazette about the dilemma. "Well, there are many challenges that we face but our main challenge is financing the film and getting it up on its feet," Al-Sinari said.

"As my specialty is financing, I will like to focus on the money issues. Animation, to start with, always poses a financial dilemma for the producer. On the one hand, it has a very long 'shelf life'. In other words, it can be sold and re-sold successfully for decades," she added.

Al-Sinari started producing animation in 2013 but then she stopped production due to a lack of financial support.

She explained that animation is an art form that has the ability to transform, educate, inform and inspire a new world of storytelling with unlimited possibilities.

"The process can take years and you need to have the patience to see your project come through," she said.

She said while Saudi Arabia has recently become an attractive hub for international entertainment, it is time to support and display local talents within the Kingdom and abroad.

"Authorities must think about those films as cultural ambassadors of the country. It will be a return on cultural investment that will raise Saudi Arabia's profile in global cinema," she said.

Al-Sinari is among the new generation of creators who established a reputation online before attracting the attention of the animation industry. "Yes, I have established my own YouTube channel called the 'Sinari Empire' to show my short films," she said.

"I have been a longtime fan of animation and the dedication it takes to completing a film or series has always fascinated me. I have felt that animation is one of the most amazing art forms, so I decided I would become a producer of animated films," Al-Sinari said.

Speaking about her objective as a producer, she said, "I want to convey positive messages to our society as I have found films to be the best tool to do so. I'm not one to run after fame or someone who likes to show off; instead my job has clear educational goals."

Nonetheless, Al-Sinari says she likes to be part of Saudi Arabia's filmmaking history. "Animation is my big love. Since I was young, it was my dream to be anime producer like the famous Japanese producers," she said.

Al-Sinari aspires to make long films with high technical features that mimic the products of global companies such as Disney, Dream and Rock by embodying her works to enable her participate in international festivals but the costs of production stand in her way.