Riyadh: The Film Commission has taken a significant step toward revitalizing the Kingdom’s cinema industry by reducing licensing fees and movie ticket prices. The decision, approved by the Film Commission Board of Directors chaired by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, aims to stimulate growth, increase audience engagement, and position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for filmmaking excellence.
The commission has streamlined the licensing process and reduced fees for various cinema operations, including permanent and temporary cinemas, and cinemas for special needs.
Applicants can now conveniently obtain licenses to operate a studio (production), produce visual and audio content, distribute or import cinematographic films, and no-objection licenses for cinematography through the Cultural Licenses Platform (Abde’a).
The commission is encouraging cinema operators to offer discounts and promotions to attract more moviegoers. This is expected to increase the number of cinema halls, make Sa
udi films more easily accessible, and encourage more people to go to cinemas across the Kingdom.
These measures are part of the Film Commission’s endeavor to achieve the strategic goals of the film industry through the growth of the number of box offices in the Kingdom, and the economic contributions of companies in the sector, as well as through supporting cultural and creative diversity in cinema, developing a competitive environment that encourages investment in the cinema sector, and improving the public’s experience, which, in turn, contributes to consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a leading regional center for the film industry.
Film Commission CEO Eng. Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: “At the commission, we are working to stimulate the film industry by encouraging private sector companies operating cinemas in the Kingdom to provide discounts and promotional offers to cinema viewership, with the aim of enhancing the film culture in the Kingdom. We also work intensively to enhance the presence of Saudi f
ilms by stimulating the showing of Saudi films in various cinemas.’
He said that the reduction of the fees for cinema licenses and for tickets makes it in line with the international average, and is bound to support companies in the sector to grow and become sustainable.
The Film Commission is responsible for the development and promotion of the Kingdom’s film sector; its strategic objectives include developing infrastructure and regulatory framework, encouraging finance and investment, ensuring the sector’s access to local talent, stimulating local production, and attracting global filmmakers.
Source: Saudi Press Agency