Marvels Black Panther will be the first film shown in Saudi Arabian movie theaters in 35 years. The film will be screened on April 18 with a gala premiere in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia lifted a 35-year-old ban on public movie screenings in December 2017. While Sonys The Emoji Movie screened in a state-run cultural centre, Black Panther premiere will take […]
Marvels Black Panther will be the first film shown in Saudi Arabian movie theaters in 35 years. The film will be screened on April 18 with a gala premiere in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia lifted a 35-year-old ban on public movie screenings in December 2017. While Sonys The Emoji Movie screened in a state-run cultural centre, Black Panther premiere will take place in AMCs first Saudi Arabian theatre, built in the King Abdullah financial district. The building was intended as a symphony hall, and so its main theatre will include 500 leather seats, orchestra and balcony levels, and marble bathrooms.
In related news, at the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference that will run from 2-3 May 2018, Saudi Arabias on-going efforts to create a vibrant entertainment sector, will be discussed.
A special panel at the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, will examine the economic impact of the growth of this new sector, the contribution to job creation and the investment opportunities for global investors.
There is international interest in the growth of Saudi Arabias cultural sector both from a social perspective but also as a significant investment opportunity. It has provided one of the most visible signs of change taking place in the Kingdom and is also a fascinating case study in the financial contribution that arts and entertainment can make to an economy, said Victoria Behn, Euromoney Conferences Director of Middle East and Africa.
The launch of the General Entertainment Authority in 2016 has already had a transformative impact, hosting more than 2,000 events in 2017. These have included jazz festivals, operas, Saudi Fashion Week and even monster truck rallies.
To support this cultural diversification, the Kingdom has budgeted US$64 billion for arts, tourism and entertainment investment over the next decade. In addition, international entertainment companies are entering the market to operate venues and cinemas.
Also read: Saudi PIF and AMC Entertainment ink movie theatres deal
