UAE captures 30% of Middle East cinema market share in 8 months
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE cinema sector achieved revenues of AED 517 million during the first eight months of this year, attracting about 11 million visits to cinemas, the Emirates Media Council revealed.Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary General of the Emirates Media Council, said that the UAE accounts for...
Cinematic revolution helps KSA realize cultural dreams
Saudi Arabia, shedding its conservative past, has ushered in a vibrant art and cinema era, with its box office revenue soaring to $250 million in 2022.
Gaza open-air cinema a breath of fresh air for Palestinians
Cinemas were forced to close in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada. They reopened following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s but for years have largely been gathering dust.
Saudi cinema sector grows by 28 percent by second quarter end
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia's film production sector grew by 28 percent by the end of the second quarter of 2023, with more than 1700 records, compared to 1300 records during the same period last year.The Business Sector Bulletin issued by the Ministry of Commerce said the highest regions in...Entertainment may add 4.2% to Saudi GDP by 2030
As the number of companies operating in the industry expected to exceed 2,500, the sector is likely to create 450,000 job opportunities in the Kingdom.Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030
The revenue of Saudi cinemas increased by 9.47% to approximately US$240 million until December 25, 2022, compared to 2021's revenue of US$232 million, a report points out.Saudi Red Sea Film Foundation invests in new Johnny Depp film
Paris, France--A Saudi film fund announced Thursday that it is investing in Johnny Depp's new movie, a French period drama in which he plays King Louis XV.The Red Sea Film Foundation said in a statement that it was backing the new film, "Jeanne du Barry", directed by France's Maiwenn, who...
Widening cultural offerings add to Dubai’s growth
Alternative cinematic content is helping the emirate's creative economy diversify and contribute to its GDP, Butheina Hamed Kazim, Founder and MD of Cinema Akil, tells TRENDS.
Cinema legend returns to Tunisia, her ‘home’
Actress Claudia Cardinale may have been a sixties legend of Italian and French cinema, but in Tunisia, in the portside district where she grew up, she says she feels "at home".
Top film bodies part of Saudi contingent at Cannes Festival
Saudi Arabia will participate in the 75th Cannes International Film Festival, which will be held during the period from 17 to 28 May, with a national pavilion supervised by the Film Commission. The Ministry of Investment, the Red Sea Film Festival, the Al-Ula Film, the King Abdulaziz Center for World...
Morocco closes ramshackle cinemas as pandemic hits hard
Only 27 theatres in Morocco remain open, relying heavily on state funding for renovations and digitizing films.UAE ends cinema censorship, introduces 21+ age rating
The UAE announced Sunday it will no longer censor cinematic releases, introducing a 21 and above age rating for films it classifies for mature audiences. The UAE is considered one of the more liberal countries in the GCC, where movies with adult content are cut or edited if they don’t...
Curtain goes up on first Saudi film festival
Less than four years after lifting a ban on cinemas, Saudi Arabia is to host its first major film festival from Monday as it eyes a lucrative new industry.Sharp recovery to see Middle East box office revenue cross $800m in 2021
Box office revenue in the Middle East made the fastest recovery in the world, from $250 million in 2020 to over $800 million it is set to cross this year. The revenue is expected to continue to rise, reaching $1 billion in 2022 and $1.3 billion in 2024, research has...
Sony to screen ‘Spider-Man’, ‘Ghostbusters’ at CinemaCon
CinemaCon is taking place despite fears about the Delta variant that have caused some pandemic restrictions to be reimposed on Hollywood in California
Bahrain to let restaurants, sports centers open Friday, July 23
Bahrain has announced that it will allow cafes, restaurants, sports centers and more to open for all on Friday
