Riyadh Cinema Ticket Prices to Drop Significantly
In a groundbreaking move, cinema ticket prices in Saudi Arabia are poised to see a dramatic decrease following the Film Commission’s recent decision to slash cinema operating license fees.
Fostering Growth and Establishing Saudi Arabia as a Filmmaking Hub
Approved by the commission’s board of directors led by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the decision aims to stimulate growth, enhance audience engagement, and position Saudi Arabia as a prominent regional filmmaking hub.
Simplified Licensing Process and Reduced Fees
The commission has streamlined the licensing process and lowered fees for various cinema operations, including permanent, temporary, and special-needs cinemas, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Easy Access to Licenses Through Cultural Licenses Platform, Abde’a
Applicants can now easily procure licenses to operate production studios, create visual and audio content, distribute or import films, and obtain cinematography no-objection licenses through the Cultural Licenses Platform, Abde’a.
Significant Reduction in License Fees
The commission has drastically reduced license fees for operating permanent or temporary cinemas in different categories of cities:
– In category “A” cities, the cost of a permanent cinema license has been reduced to SR25,000 ($6,666), down from SR210,000.
– In category “B” cities, the fee is now SR15,000, reduced from SR126,000.
– In category “C” cities, the cost is SR5,000, down from SR84,000.
Encouraging Cinema Operators to Offer Discounts
The commission is urging cinema operators to provide discounts and promotions to attract more moviegoers, with the goal of increasing the number of cinema halls, making Saudi films more accessible, and enticing more individuals to visit cinemas across the Kingdom.
Fostering Growth and Enhancing the Film Industry
These measures are part of the Film Commission’s strategy to bolster the film industry by promoting growth in the number of box offices nationwide and amplifying the economic contributions of companies in the sector.
Supporting Cultural and Creative Diversity in Cinema
Furthermore, the commission aims to bolster cultural and creative diversity in cinema, create a competitive environment that spurs investment in the film industry, and elevate the overall movie-going experience to solidify the Kingdom’s position as a premier regional film industry center.
Stimulating the Film Industry and Showcasing Saudi Films
Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani emphasized the commission’s commitment to stimulate the film industry by encouraging private-sector companies operating cinemas in the Kingdom to offer discounts and promotional deals to cinema-goers, with the objective of enriching the film culture in Saudi Arabia and showcasing Saudi films in various cinemas.