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The Saudi film industry’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable, both in front of and behind the camera. In the six years since cinema restrictions were lifted in 2018, Saudi Arabia has taken significant strides to become a leading film production market in the region.

Cultural exchange has played a vital role in promoting Saudi stories and talent, and the industry’s growth is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and job creation by 2030.

A Booming Industry

The Saudi film industry’s progress is reflected in its box office performance, with a 20% year-on-year growth in 2023, attracting over 17.4 million moviegoers and generating over $240 million in revenue. Behind the camera, production houses are setting up shop, investment is pouring in, and film festivals are shining a spotlight on Saudi films and talent.

Ithra Film Production: A Driving Force

Standing at the crossroads of these two emergent trends is Ithra Film Production, a film commissioning and funding entity run by the King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center (Ithra). Ithra Film Production seeks to highlight Saudi stories and discover new voices and creative storytellers, with the ultimate goal of having their films showcased on national and international platforms.

Empowering Local Talent

Ithra Film Production has funded 20 titles and produced four, which have been showcased at 95 film festivals across the globe, winning 34 awards. The recent success of Hajjan, which won three awards at the Gulf Film Festival, is a testament to the entity’s commitment to promoting Saudi talent.

Promoting Saudi Films Globally

Ithra Film Production’s presence at the Cannes Film Festival aims to connect with the broader industry and promote Saudi films and filmmakers on the international stage. A panel discussion at Cannes featured Saudi filmmakers sharing their perspectives on the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving industry.

Telling Saudi Stories

Filmmaker Hamzah Jamjoom emphasized the importance of showcasing Saudi culture and values to a global audience. “As a society, we are used to telling tales… lessons that we want to pass on. Nowadays, we have the opportunity to showcase to the rest of the world what the Saudi family structure looks like inside, the issues that we struggle with, and the cultural values that we celebrate.”

A Bright Future

The success of Ithra Film Production and the Saudi film industry is just beginning. With continued investment and support, the industry is poised to make a significant impact on the global film scene, promoting cross-cultural understanding and exchange.