Saudi Arabia is set to have a soft opening for a new movie theatre tomorrow in what is the beginning of a new era of cinema in the Kingdom, some three decades after the last theatre was shuttered.
A private film screening tomorrow, a collaboration between the Saudi Development and Investment Entertainment Company (DEIC), which is owned by the Public Investment Fund, and US theater giant AMC Entertainment, will take place on Wednesday at a newly built cinema complex in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, according to Arab News.
The move is part of larger social and economic reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who sees the development of a strong entertainment industry as key to economic diversification and lifestyle betterment.
Cinemas will open their doors to the public in May, with tickets expected to go on sale online later this month, Arab News said. Three screens will open in the third quarter of 2018, with 40 or more cinema complexes due to be built in the next five years.
Walt Disney Co.’s “Black Panther” will be the first Hollywood movie shown in Saudi Arabia. While on his lengthy trip to the United States this month, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with top Hollywood industry leaders and stars in Los Angeles, as well as with Disney CEO Bob Iger.
DIEC said it intends to invest up to SR10 billion in entertainment projects by 2030.
