Saudi cinema's rapid rise: New opportunities for industry professionals

The vision is equally ambitious: establish Saudi as a world-class film centre in the heart of the middle east. What makes this journey remarkable is the speed of transformation. In just five years, the kingdom has been establishing cinemas in various cities, hosting and participating in local and international festivals, encouraging local talent, and funding filmmakers.

Table of Contents

• Record-breaking growth in five years
• Box office success proves commercial viability
• Job creation across the sector
• Government commitment and infrastructure
• Riyadh University of Arts shaping the future
• Opportunities for industry professionals

Record-breaking growth in five years

The Saudi film commission issued its inaugural annual report, providing a comprehensive overview of the Kingdom's rapidly developing film sector. The numbers demonstrate extraordinary expansion. More than 17.5 million cinema tickets were sold across the Kingdom, with infrastructure growing to include 64 cinema locations featuring 630 screens, and 17 film studios equipped with 37 sound stages(2).

The production ecosystem has matured rapidly. The number of production companies reached 65, while the commission supported 64 projects through national incentive programs, driving over SAR 1.08 billion in local expenditure(2). Infrastructure investments include world-class facilities such as JAX Studios and NEOM Media Village(2).

Festival attendance reflects growing public engagement. Over 75,600 participants attended major gatherings including the Red Sea International Film Festival, the Saudi Film Festival, and Gulf Cinema Festival(2). The 2024 Saudi Film Confex attracted approximately 70,000 visitors, where 24 agreements were signed with a combined value of SAR 226 million(2), reflecting investor confidence in the Saudi market.

International recognition validates the quality of Saudi content. Saudi films won 50 awards at prestigious international festivals(2), demonstrating that Saudi cinema competes globally both culturally and economically.

Box office success proves commercial viability

The financial performance shows a thriving market. In 2024, Saudi films grossed SAR 56.8 million, and by September 2025 revenues reached SAR 120.4 million(2). This dramatic growth demonstrates increasing audience appetite for Saudi stories and validates commercial investment in local content.

Total spending on films benefiting from incentive and grant programs exceeded SAR 1 billion between 2020 and 2024(2). The economic ripple effects extend beyond direct film production, with the sector generating more than 2,000 hotel nights and 1,000 domestic flights in 2023-2024 alone(2).

Job creation across the sector

Employment growth mirrors the industry's expansion. These programs created an average of 1,230 jobs annually between 2020 and 2024, of which 950 jobs came through the rebate program and 280 through Daw(2).

The multiplier effect amplifies impact. The incentives positively impacted other sectors, with every five jobs in the film industry supporting two additional jobs in related fields(2). In 2024, more than 2,500 crew members worked on MBC projects, alongside over 500 local companies and 450 international companies(2).

These jobs span diverse roles: directors, cinematographers, editors, sound engineers, production designers, costume designers, scriptwriters, casting directors, location scouts, and numerous technical and support positions.

Government commitment and infrastructure

Government support extends beyond funding to comprehensive ecosystem development. The commission highlighted initiatives nurturing Saudi talent through university partnerships, workshops, and specialized training labs. The investment in world-class infrastructure such as JAX studios and NEOM media village(2) provides production facilities that rival international standards.

The incentive programs attract both local and international productions, creating learning opportunities as Saudi professionals work alongside experienced international teams. This knowledge transfer accelerates skill development and raises production quality standards across the industry.

Riyadh University of Arts shaping the future

The Minister of Culture announced the establishment of the Riyadh University of Arts as one of the most significant investments in cultural education. The minister emphasized: "This institution will serve as a cornerstone for creative education and cultural innovation, enabling our students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and vision that will shape the kingdom's cultural future"(3).

Located in its Irqah campus in Riyadh, the university will launch through its first three colleges: music, film, and theatre & performing arts, gradually expanding to thirteen colleges. The university has built partnerships with leading international institutions to design academic programs, collaborate in research, and offer enriching programs in cultural education(3).

The impact projections are substantial. The cultural sector is expected to see 7% annual growth in demand for qualified cultural talents, creating over 300,000 new jobs over the next decade(3). RUA aims to supply the sector with qualified professionals by graduating 25,000-30,000 students by 2040 and training 1,000-1,500 teachers to support this growth(3). The cultural sector is projected to contribute over SAR 80 billion to the national economy by 2030(3).

Opportunities for industry professionals

The convergence of factors creates unprecedented opportunity for film industry professionals. The government has demonstrated serious commitment through infrastructure investment, incentive programs, and educational institutions. 17.5 million tickets sold proves domestic demand for cinema(2). International recognition through 50 festival awards validates that Saudi content competes globally(2).

The timing is particularly significant. Industries in rapid expansion phases offer the greatest opportunities for early entrants. Those who develop expertise now, as Saudi cinema builds its foundation, will be positioned as industry leaders when the sector fully matures. With 300,000 jobs projected over the next decade and universities preparing to graduate tens of thousands of trained professionals(3), the infrastructure for sustained growth is being built. The next decade promises even greater expansion.

References

1. Saudi Film Commission

2. Saudi Film Commission Media Centre

3. Saudi Press Agency