Six years after reopening cinemas, Saudi Arabia’s film industry is thriving with remarkable growth. In April 2018, cinemas were reopened in the kingdom after nearly four decades, marking a significant change.
Saudi media reports that there are now 66 cinemas with 618 screens and 63,300 seats across 22 cities in the kingdom, the highest in the Arab region. In the past six years, around 1,900 films, including 45 Saudi movies, have been screened, generating an impressive SR3.7 billion. Last year alone, 17.6 million tickets were sold. Saudi Arabia has become a hub for Arab and foreign filmmakers and actors, hosting events like the Red Sea International Film Festival and the Gulf Cinema Festival.
The kingdom has also signed agreements with other countries and leading cinema corporations to reach international audiences. Recently, the Saudi Film Commission partnered with the Bona Film Group from China for film distribution and joint production ventures. Additionally, plans are underway for a “Saudi Film Nights” tour to showcase Saudi films in five countries.
Starting with Morocco, the tour will continue to Australia, China, and India before concluding in Mexico in January next year.
