Tickets sold out in 15 minutes as cinema returns to Saudi Arabia

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After Wednesday's historic lifting of a 35-year-old ban on cinemas in Saudi Arabia – marked by a private, invitation-only screening of "Black Panther" in the kingdom's first movie theater in Riyadh – it was time for the public to watch the Hollywood blockbuster on Friday night.

No wonder, the first public screening of a commercial film in more than three decades turned out to be a full house, with tickets selling out in just 15 minutes, according to a press release from the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information's Center for International Communication.

Hundreds of movie lovers filed into the brand new state-of-the-art movie theater in Riyadh to watch the acclaimed movie.

Hundreds of movie lovers filed into the state-of-the-art movie theater at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, April 20, 2018. /Photo via Center for International Communication, Saudi Arabia

"Today is the first show for the public and the response has been overwhelming! This just goes to show how eager Saudis are to watch great films from around the world right here at home. They no longer have to travel outside the Kingdom to go to the movies,” said Awwad Alawwad, the Saudi Minister of Culture and Information, on Friday.

"To have the first public showtime sell out in 15 minutes is unshakable evidence of the passion and excitement for cinema-going in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It further convinces us what we already knew, that the future for AMC in Saudi Arabia is very bright,” said Adam Aron, CEO and president of the US-based AMC Entertainment, about Friday's public screening.

Earlier on Wednesday, AMC Entertainment collaborated with the Development and Investment Entertainment Company (DIEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF),to oversee the launch of the first public cinema in Riyadh. Aron and Alawwad were among those who witnessed the historic event.

Awwad Alawwad, Saudi Minister of Culture and Information (fifth from right) and Adam Aron, CEO of AMC Entertainment (fourth from right) join hundreds of guests at the inauguration of the kingdom’s first cinema at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, April 18, 2018. /Photo via Center for International Communication, Saudi Arabia

AMC plans to open three more movie screens at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) location in the third quarter of 2018, marking the beginning of a partnership that could lead to 30 to 40 cinemas in approximately 15 cities in Saudi Arabia over the next five years.

'11th largest market in the world'

With a population of 32 million, the Gulf kingdom has set its eyes on becoming the largest market for movie-goers in the region, and the 11th largest theatrical exhibition market globally. Plans are in place to build nearly 350 cinemas, with over 2,500 screens, by 2030 with a target of generating one billion US dollars in annual ticket sales, the press release said.

The growth of the exhibition sector is expected to create around 30,000 permanent jobs and some 130,000 temporary positions, by 2030, it added.

Read also: Cinema operators queue up as Saudi Arabia begins issuing licenses

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‘Black Panther’ to lead Saudi audience to their first cinema on April 18

Saudi Arabia plans to build 350 cinemas, with over 2,500 screens, by 2030. /Photo via Center for International Communication, Saudi Arabia

"The partnership between DIEC and AMC Entertainment advances a key objective of Vision 2030 to grow the entertainment sector in the Kingdom. DIEC intends to invest up to 10 billion Saudi riyals (2.67 billion US dollars) in entertainment projects by 2030," the ministry statement added.

The Saudi cinema and exhibition industry is regulated by the Saudi General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM), which is working closely with film distributors and exhibitors to develop the market.

[Cover Photo: A logo of AMC Cinemas is lit up inside the kingdom’s first cinema at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, April 20, 2018. /Photo via Center for International Communication, Saudi Arabia

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