Saudi Film Commission

KSA agency to promote film industry

Formed2020; 5 years ago (2020)

Agency executives

Abdullah Al-Eyaf, CEO
Abduljalil Al-Nasser, General Manager, Sector Development and Investment^[1]

Saudi Film Commission
Agency overview

Formed	2020; 5 years ago (2020)
Jurisdiction	Government of Saudi Arabia
Headquarters	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Agency executives	Abdullah Al-Eyaf, CEO Abduljalil Al-Nasser, General Manager, Sector Development and Investment^[1]
Website	Official English Website

The Saudi Film Commission is a commission of the Ministry of Culture within the government of Saudi Arabia. The organization was established to promote the country's film industry.^[2]

In 2018, a 35-year ban on cinemas was lifted in Saudi Arabia as part of the country's broader modernization efforts overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.^[3] The Saudi Film Commission was founded as a branch of the Ministry of Culture in February 2020 to bolster the country's film industry.^[4]^[5]

In June 2024, the Saudi Film Commission became a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) to enhance Saudi Arabia's presence in the global film industry and facilitate collaboration between national production companies and local talents with international counterparts.^[6]

Initiatives

101 Film Studio

The 101 Film Studio is a partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Education to provide film education to middle and high school students in the country.^[7]

Daw' Film Competition

In 2019, prior to the official founding of the Saudi Film Commission, the Ministry of Culture established the Daw' Competition to financially support young Saudi filmmakers.^[8] The contest is now administered through the Saudi Film Commission.^[9]

Filmmakers Program

The Saudi Film Commission Filmmakers Program was established in 2021 to train and support local talent through the filmmaking process.^[10]

Film Saudi

Representatives of the commission announced Film Saudi, a 40% cash rebate program to incentivize productions that film in the kingdom and hire local talent, at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.^[11]

References

↑ Vourlias, Christopher. "Saudi Filmmakers Tout Public and Private Support for Burgeoning Biz, Look for 'New Dialogue' on Taboo Subjects". Variety. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
↑ Lodderhose, Diana. "Saudi Arabia Film Commission Unveils Strategy To Establish Country As Global Film Hub". Deadline. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
↑ Kinninmont, Jane. "Saudi Arabia: Why is going to the cinema suddenly OK?". BBC. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
↑ "About". Saudi Film Commission. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
↑ Proctor, Rebecca Anne. "From AlUla to Cannes: Saudi film industry blooms six years after cinema ban is lifted". The Circuit. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
↑ "Film Commission joins AFCI boosting Saudi Arabia's position in global film industry". Saudigazette. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
↑ "Studio 101 Films". Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
↑ "Contest launched to finance Saudi films with prizes up to SR40 million". Arab News. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
↑ Best, Kiann. "Saudi Arabia presents four features from Daw competition winners". The Location Guide. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
↑ "Filmmakers Program". Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
↑ Vivarelli, Nick. "Saudi Arabia Launches 40% Film Production Rebate". Variety. Retrieved 14 May 2024.

101 Film Studio

Daw' Film Competition

Filmmakers Program

Film Saudi

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