Saudi Film Forum concludes with deals to boost cinema industry

The Saudi Film Commission concluded the fourth edition of the Saudi Film Forum, held under the patronage of Culture Minister and Film Commission Chairman Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, on October 28-29, 2026, at JAX Film Studios in Riyadh. Organized by Benchmark, the forum’s main partner, the event brought together industry leaders, decision-makers, professionals, and specialists to foster investment, partnerships, and the growth of Saudi Arabia’s cinema industry.

The forum saw the launch of the 2025 Saudi Film Industry Annual Report, which highlights key sector performance indicators, achievements, and developments. The report provides data to better understand the industry’s landscape and growth opportunities, supporting planning and decision-making.

The forum’s main tracks included a cultural program featuring a conference, workshops, “Film Talks,” and an exhibition of companies and organizations linked to the sector, alongside film screenings and related activities. The program offered 20 sessions and workshops with 40 speakers and trainers. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, including an agreement to archive the works of actor Abdullah Al-Sadhan in the National Film Archive.

The event brought together government leaders, heads of companies and non-profit organizations, producers, directors, screenwriters, technical and service providers, investors, funding bodies, and educational institutions. This business platform enabled networking, knowledge exchange, and exploration of collaboration opportunities. Participants included production and distribution companies and supporting sectors, reflecting the diversity across the film industry value chain.

The conference program addressed key trends shaping the industry’s future. The opening session discussed integration between the media and film sectors and how they drive unified growth. Other sessions covered the role of the non-profit sector, success stories of Saudi films, distribution and platforms, artificial intelligence and new technologies in animation, financing and investment, sector integration, and growth indicators.

The “Film Talks” segment featured a session with four specialists discussing experiences with low-budget films and opportunities for independent production, alongside a screening of the film “Hijrah,” combining professional discussions with cinematic experiences.

Eleven experts delivered ten workshops—five each day—to enrich participants’ knowledge and skills across filmmaking stages. Topics included age classification, short film production and stages, audition experiences, using AI in screenwriting, editing, animation, and soundtracks, as well as temporary imports, film analysis, and copyright.

Activities extended across various JAX District locations, including short film and video art screenings, tours of production and recording studios, and a screening of the documentary “Green Yesterday,” followed by a discussion on turning documentaries into living stories.

Agreements and memorandums of understanding included archiving Abdullah Al-Sadhan’s collection in the National Film Archive, signed by Al-Sadhan and National Film Archive Director Abdullah Al-Abdullah, in the presence of Film Commission CEO Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Qahtani. “Qanawat Distribution” signed an agreement with the “Local Films Gateway” platform to enhance integration of film data and distribution expertise, and a framework agreement with “Meem Arts Platform.” “Motion Films” signed two memorandums of understanding: one with “Beyond Studio” titled “From Imagination to Screen,” and another with “Seen Acting Academy” titled “From Training to Production.” “Film Lab” signed an agreement with “Cine Waves” to distribute three films, and another with “Madlool” for visual identity design in films.

The forum is part of the Film Commission’s efforts to empower and develop the cinema industry and strengthen investment and partnership opportunities, in line with the National Culture Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.