Saudi culture authority signs film deal with IMAX

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Culture has signed a preliminary deal with US projection firm IMAX for the production and development of films at a local level.

The draft agreement comes under the authority’s efforts to develop the film sector after a cinema ban was lifted at the end of last year.

The two will explore opportunities to support Saudi studios and film directors with the goal of exporting Saudi films to non-Arab markets.

IMAX said it would also examine the possibility of establishing a film technology laboratory in Saudi Arabia to train filmmakers and work with them on Arabic documentaries and other forms of entertainment in the IMAX format.

Read: Saudi launches official film council

The General Authority for Culture aims for the sector to contribute to the economy and foster creative talent.

Under this goal, it launched the kingdom’s first official film council in March and oversaw the opening of the kingdom’s first new cinemas in 35 years last month.

The council has launched a national grants programme and a partnership scheme for talented film makers.

The second new cinema to open in the kingdom features Saudi Arabia’s first IMAX screen.

UAE malls and retail group Majid Al Futtaim’s Vox Cinemas unit opened the location on the first floor of the recently opened Riyadh Park shopping mall

Read: UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim opens Saudi’s first IMAX cinema

The company said in an April statement that it would be investing SAR2bn ($533m) in Saudi Arabia to open 600 screens in the next five years.

Read: Dubai’s Vox to open cinema in Riyadh in “coming days”

Other cinemas care planned at Majid Al Futtaim’s Mall of Saudi and City Centre Ishbiliyah, set to open in Riyadh in the coming years.

More broadly, authorities plan to set up around 350 cinemas with over 2,500 screens by 2030, which they hope will attract nearly $1bn in annual ticket sales.