Saudi Arabia allows cinema after 35-year ban

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Saudi Arabia on Monday announced a lifting of the kingdom's decades-long ban on cinemas, a landmark decision that is part of a series of social reforms ushered in by the powerful crown prince.

The Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information announced in a statement that "commercial cinemas will be allowed to operate in the kingdom as of early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years," adding that the government will begin licensing cinemas immediately.

“As the industry regulator, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media [GCAM] has started the process for licensing cinemas in the kingdom. We expect the first cinemas to open in March 2018,” said Awwad Alawwad, Saudi minister of culture and information.

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Saudis watch legendary Greek composer Yanni perform at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 3, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The measure comes as part of the Vision 2030 social and economic reform program being pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Licensing of cinemas is central to the government’s program to encourage an open and rich domestic culture for Saudis. The move follows a variety of economic and social reforms including the announcement in September by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud that women would be allowed to drive as of June 2018.

'Watershed moment'

This is the first time that cinemas have been licensed in Saudi Arabia since their ban in the early 1980s.

“This marks a watershed moment in the development of the cultural economy in the kingdom,” Alawwad said in the statement.

“Opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification. By developing the broader cultural sector, we will create new employment and training opportunities, as well as enriching the kingdom’s entertainment options,” he added.

Legendary Greek composer Yanni performs during the concert at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 3, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The opening of cinemas complements two key pillars of the Vision 2030 program: encouraging a vibrant society, including a rejuvenated entertainment sector; and nurturing a thriving economy that creates opportunities for all people in Saudi Arabia, according to the ministry statement.

Vision 2030 wants each Saudi household to spend six percent of its income on cultural and entertainment activities, up from the current 2.9 percent. The move opens up a domestic market of over 32 million people. It is anticipated that by 2030, the kingdom will have opened over 300 cinemas, with over 2,000 screens.

International and regional music stars have already started flocking to Saudi Arabia, performing concerts that were once unimaginable but which are increasingly becoming common, thanks to the vision that seeks to open up the country, diversify the economy and make the kingdom a global destination for business and tourism.

The cinema industry will contribute more than 90 billion riyals (23.99 billion US dollars) to GDP, creating more than 30,000 permanent jobs and more than 130,000 temporary jobs by 2030, according to the Ministry of Culture and Information.

GCAM will announce more details on licensing and regulations over the next few weeks.