By Anas Alyusuf

RIYADH — Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes organization, revealed the organization's aspiration to include judges from Saudi Arabia in the future.

Speaking at the second edition of the Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh on Wednesday, Hoehne expressed interest in adding more judges from the region to the lineup of the prestigious awards, which already includes judges from Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar.

“We don’t have any voters from Saudi Arabia yet, but that will come, and it will be my mission to bring them on board,” Hoehne said. “We’re hopeful that we expand further and become even more global than we already are.”

Regarding the selection process for voters, Hoehne explained: “We seek talented international journalists who report on entertainment media. They must apply and undergo a vetting process by our Membership Board of Directors, which includes nine members, such as Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea International Film Festival.”

Hoehne also noted that the organization currently has over 330 voters from 85 countries, with plans to continue expanding. “Our voters come from different cultures, speak multiple languages, and watch content from all over the world. Sixty percent of our voting body is diverse, and I would love to see it become even more inclusive.”

Expressing her excitement for the future of Saudi cinema, Hoehne said, “The Saudi film industry is one of the most promising and exciting because it’s new, and with anything new comes enormous potential. I am very excited about the films I’ve seen and the filmmakers I will meet.”

The Saudi Film Confex brings together local and international industry experts to discuss how to advance and strengthen Saudi Arabia's film industry. Organized by the Saudi Film Commission, the event aligns with the country’s cultural vision of increasing social and cultural diversification.

In addition to Hoehne, notable international speakers included Sébastien Raybaud, founder of the UK-based production and financing company Anton, French filmmaker Luc Jacquet, and Jim Gianopulos, former CEO and chairman at 20th Century Fox. US actor and producer Will Smith also delivered the keynote address.