Riyadh: Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani stated that the Saudi Film Confex was conceived in response to the significant growth the Kingdom's film sector is experiencing, emphasizing the need for a dedicated platform to unite filmmakers, decision-makers, legislative bodies, and training entities to address challenges and explore potential opportunities.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Al-Qahtani revealed the remarkable development of the Kingdom's box office. He noted the market went from having no cinemas in 2018 to selling 90 million tickets to date, with revenues approaching SAR5 billion.
Over the past five years, ticket sales grew from around six million in 2020 to 17 million by the end of 2024. Similarly, revenues increased by 90%, rising from SAR445 million to SAR845 million during the same period.
Furthermore, Saudi films have been a significant part of this expansion, with their sales exceeding SAR120 million, a massive increase from the SAR13 million in 2020. This growth reinforces the strong confidence in the Saudi market, supported by Vision 2030 and the Film Commission's role in connecting investors with local filmmakers.
Al-Qahtani pointed out that this year's edition of the confex, held under the theme "A Gathering That Transforms the Scene," is distinguished by its larger scale and richer program. Key highlights include the participation of 135 exhibitors from 35 countries, over 60 value chain expert speakers, and 50 inspiring workshops.
The confex covers a wide range of critical topics, including intellectual property rights, artificial intelligence, distribution challenges, production, insurance, and financing. The CEO concluded that the third edition of the event confirms the Kingdom's leadership in the film industry in the Middle East.