Panel Discussion

Timeless Treasures: The Importance of Archiving Physical Media

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Saturday, February 1 2025

In an era dominated by digital media, the value of archiving physical formats has never been more crucial. This panel discussion brings together Jameel, a passionate 35mm projectionist and collector, and Dr. Mohammed Ghazala, professor at the School of Cinematic Arts at Effat University and contributor to a published book on classic Egyptian posters. Together, they will explore the role of physical media in preserving cultural heritage, the challenges of maintaining analog formats, and their significance as historical artifacts. Join us as we delve into the enduring relevance of tangible media in safeguarding stories for future generations.

Moderated by

Mohamed Ghazala is an assistant professor and the chair of the School of Cinematic Arts at Effat University in Saudi Arabia. In addition to his academic role, he serves as the Vice President of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA.

He is a contributor to a published book on classic Egyptian posters by Sameh Fathy. In this book, film critic Sameh Fathy presents a rare collection of Egyptian cinema film posters, accompanied by a detailed and significant study on the art of the film poster, its creation, style, and design. It also highlights the most prominent poster designers in Egyptian cinema from 1933 to 2012. 

Panelist

Jameel ‘Cinema’ Muhjab is a passionate film archivist, projectionist, collector, repairman and historian of Jeddah’s cinema history. Over the last four decades, Jameel has been collecting antique projectors, films and phonographs and giving them a second life. Passionate about cinema and film, he is also an occasional actor and oud player.