Big Screen Ambitions for Saudi’s Film industry

The Saudi film industry has become a key component of Vision 2030, experiencing a remarkable transformation over the past ten years.  Today, the industry is a significant cultural force, fully supported by the state through various authorities, festivals, and incentives. As we look to the future, how do industry insiders envision the development of Saudi cinema, and what kind of support will be necessary to ensure its continued growth and success?

Saudi Arabia’s film industry has emerged as a cornerstone of the kingdom’s Vision 2030, underscoring its commitment to economic diversification and cultural enrichment. Beyond government plans, the burgeoning enthusiasm for cinema among Saudis truly stands out. Social media abounds with posts celebrating Saudi-produced films, reflecting a growing local passion for cinema.

The recent release of Basma—a feature by Fatima Al-Banawi now streaming on Netflix—highlights this trend. Set in Jeddah, the film delighted many viewers who recognized familiar faces from their childhood and acquaintances. Jeddah, also the backdrop for Basma, hosts the Red Sea Film Festival, one of the many red carpet events now proliferating in and beyond Saudi Arabia.

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the Saudi pavilion showcased Norah, a poignant narrative by Tawfik Alzaidi about soulmates and creative minds in 1990s Saudi Arabia. Shot in AlUla with an all-Saudi cast, it became the first Saudi film to receive an official selection at Cannes.

These festivals have highlighted Saudi talent and attracted global attention. Haifaa Al Mansour’s The Perfect Candidate(2019), which competed at the Venice International Film Festival and earned critical acclaim, underscores the long-standing presence of talent in the kingdom.

The transformation is palpable: acting, once a niche pursuit, is now a respected and viable career path in Saudi Arabia—a far cry from the 1980s. Many Saudis are now driven by both passion and the prospect of a respectable income.

Support for this burgeoning industry is bolstered by institutions such as the Saudi Film Council, which offers funding and training.

While international attention signals a red carpet for foreign filmmakers, it is equally exciting to witness robust support for domestic talent. Saudi audiences are increasingly drawn to local productions, finding resonance in familiar actors, plots, and landscapes. Though there is still progress to be made, these initial strides are not only gratifying but also instill a renewed sense of pride in Saudi identity.

Saudi producer Amr Al-Qahtani told Saudi Times: "The cinema in Saudi Arabia has transformed over the past ten years into something akin to a dream that we, as filmmakers, never imagined. After film production was somewhat prohibited in the 1980s and 1990s, it has now become a significant industry fully supported by the state through various authorities and festivals.

“Many creatives are working in this field, especially after a large number of Saudis were sent abroad to study different specialties in this area as part of the well-planned Vision strategy.”

So how does he see the Saudi cinema industry developing in the years to come, and what help does it need? Al-Qahtani thinks there should be a focus on selecting projects that can be presented abroad and in international languages.

"There is a decent annual production that will increase in the coming years, and those working in directing, production, writing and cinematography need to reflect global arts rather than just local or regional ones - which will enhance competition both domestically and internationally.

“This primarily depends on story and script writers, who are the backbone of these projects, as well as directors, who are essential in guiding actors and actresses to bring out their creativity. We are in the early stages of maturity, though, and in the coming years, we will see works that will be noteworthy and competitive in international festivals."

As a film enthusiast myself, I am very happy to see this growth too.

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