Riyadh: The Film Commission launched the third edition of the Saudi Film Confex yesterday, held under the theme 'Transforming the Scene,' and inaugurated by CEO of the Film Commission Abdullah Al-Qahtani. The event brought together a distinguished group of filmmakers, cinema industry experts, and creators from the Kingdom and around the world.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the confex serves as a comprehensive platform uniting key pillars and stakeholders of the film industry. It provides a space where creative visions and industry ambitions converge for both local and international participants.
In his opening remarks, delivered on behalf of Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Al-Qahtani stated that the confex represents a vital milestone in the development of the film industry in the Kingdom. It serves as a hub for creatives, investors, and decision-makers to foster a promising cinematic future, advancing from laying foundational frameworks to establishing sustainable growth.
He emphasized that Saudi Arabia is making confident strides toward becoming a regional and global hub for film production. The Kingdom continues to attract international partnerships, nurture national talent, and strengthen its presence in both cultural and economic global spheres. Cinema, he noted, is a powerful tool that expresses identity, preserves stories, builds cultural bridges, and supports the growth of a thriving creative economy.
Additionally, Al-Qahtani highlighted that the current momentum in Saudi Arabia's film industry is a direct outcome of Saudi Vision 2030 and its objectives. He noted that collaboration between Saudi talents and local and international partners is paving the way for a future in which the Kingdom stands as a global destination for creativity and cinematic production.
The commission aims, through the confex, to empower local filmmakers and production companies, attract investment, and enhance both regional and international partnerships. The event also provides a platform for knowledge exchange among industry professionals and highlights the Kingdom's position as a regional film hub.
The 2025 edition features an international conference with over 50 panel discussions and workshops covering content development and industry structuring. More than 60 speakers from 35 countries are taking part. In parallel, a large-scale exhibition brings together over 130 local, regional, and international entities, including production companies, studios, and providers of cinematic equipment and technology, reflecting the rapid growth of the film sector in Saudi Arabia.