NEOM-Supported Saudi Student Shortlisted for Yugo BAFTA Student Awards

Saudi student Rafif Kalantan, whose studies were supported by NEOM, received a nomination for the Yugo BAFTA Student Awards in the gaming category. 

The Yugo BAFTA Students Awards is an annual event that celebrates the works of young and high-skilled storytellers worldwide. 

NEOM funded Kalatan's studies at the National Film and Television School. This two-year intensive training program included acquiring skills such as game design, visual effects, directing, and much more.

Kalantan had submitted her work titled "Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions" for the awards' gaming category.

The Saudi student's work is a 2.5D narrative-driven puzzle-like game in which gamers play as Eros, a retired cupid, works towards breaking apart couples instead of bringing them together, and he does so by manipulating objects in the couples' homes.

The 2023 Yugo BAFTA Students Awards received 754 submissions from 103 schools across 30 countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Argentina, Belgium, India, and many others. 

NEOM has been providing training programs in collaboration with well-renowned institutions to nurture and develop new and local talent who wish to pursue a career in the screen sector. 

Image source: Rafif Kalantan's LinkedIn profile