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.
History 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. The Saudi Film Commission was founded as a branch of the Ministry of Culture in February 2020 to bolster the country's film industry.
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.
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.
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. The contest is now administered through the Saudi Film Commission.
Filmmakers Program The Saudi Film Commission Filmmakers Program was established in 2021 to train and support local talent through the filmmaking process.
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.
Film Deposit In August 2024, the commission launched the Film Deposit initiative through the National Film Archive to collect and preserve Saudi films. The initiative began with the Saudi Film Registry, which contained information on more than 1,000 feature films and documentaries, and offered three deposit options: secure storage, access for academic research, and public access.
Cinamaa In April 2025, the Saudi Film Commission and the National Film Archive launched Cinamaa, an online platform focused on film studies. The platform provides access to articles, research, discussions, workshops and short films for aspiring filmmakers, critics and film enthusiasts.
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