Prasad, WSV set up GCC hub to boost heritage preservation
HYDERABAD, Jan 24 (The CONNECT) – Prasad, a global leader in film preservation and post-production for over seven decades, has partnered with World Sound & Vision (WSV) Saudi Arabia to set up the Prasad WSV Digitisation and Restoration Centre in Riyadh, marking a major milestone in safeguarding cinematic heritage.
Billed as the first and largest facility of its kind in the GCC, the centre is designed to transform how films, tapes and archival media are preserved across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.
The initiative is led by WSV under the vision of its management, represented by Dr. Cotup Saleh, Director, and is backed by Prasad’s global technology and restoration expertise. It aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, strengthening the Kingdom’s cultural ecosystem while positioning it as a regional hub for media innovation and heritage preservation.
The Riyadh facility offers an integrated, end-to-end solution for digitisation and restoration, equipped with a state-of-the-art Scanity film scanner, ultrasonic cleaning systems, a comprehensive tape digitisation bank and specialised restoration teams. Crucially, it enables valuable local and regional archives to be restored within Saudi Arabia, eliminating the need to send sensitive cultural assets overseas.
“We are honoured to bring Prasad’s seven-decade legacy of film preservation and restoration to Saudi Arabia through this landmark partnership with World Sound & Vision,” said Abhishek Prasad, Director & CTO, Prasad. “This centre is more than a facility; it is a commitment to safeguarding priceless cultural heritage for generations. Guided by Vision 2030, we see Saudi Arabia emerging as a global leader in heritage preservation and media innovation.”
The Prasad WSV Digitisation and Restoration Centre is expected to serve archives, cultural ministries, broadcasters and universities across the GCC, becoming a cornerstone for preserving regional heritage while unlocking new cultural and economic opportunities.
