According to the report, Saudi films win 50 international awards, highlighting kingdom’s gobal rise in 2024.
The Saudi Film Commission has published its first annual report, offering a comprehensive review of the Kingdom’s film sector in 2024, the Saudi Press Agency announced earlier this week.
The report highlights major achievements across a range of areas including incentive programmes, infrastructure development, film festivals and awards, audience and revenue growth, talent development, and efforts in film preservation and archiving. It underscores Saudi Arabia’s steady progress in recent years and its ambition to establish itself as both a regional and international hub for cinema.
According to the publication, national incentive programmes supported 64 productions in 2024, generating more than SR1.08bn ($288m in local expenditure. Infrastructure initiatives such as JAX Studios and Neom Media Village were cited as key to expanding production capabilities, while universities, workshops, and training labs played an important role in nurturing Saudi talent.
Cinema attendance also saw significant growth, with more than 17.5m tickets sold across the Kingdom. By the end of 2024, the country’s cinema network had expanded to 64 venues with 630 screens. The number of production companies reached 65, while 14 additional projects received targeted support, with spending on supported films exceeding SR93m.
Festivals and events recorded strong participation, with over 75,600 attendees at the Red Sea International Film Festival, the Saudi Film Festival, and the Gulf Cinema Festival. The 2024 Saudi Film Confex attracted around 70,000 visitors and facilitated 24 agreements worth SR226m. Saudi films continued to earn international acclaim, securing 50 awards at festivals worldwide. The report serves as a key reference for industry professionals, stakeholders, and the public, highlighting the Saudi Film Commission’s ongoing efforts to position Saudi Arabia as a leading force in the global film industry.
Through these achievements, the Film Commission reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s film industry, positioning it as a dynamic contributor to the Kingdom’s broader cultural and economic development.
