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JEDDAH: ��������’s cinema box office is already comparable in size to England’s with the right marketing, said Tony Vinciquerra, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Speaking during a panel at the Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh, Vinciquerra praised the Kingdom’s rapid progress in building a cinema market from scratch in just a few years. He described the growth as “crazy” and unprecedented in speed compared with other global markets. 

The Saudi Film Commission reported that 17.5 million cinema tickets were sold in 2024, generating SR845.6 million ($225 million) in box office revenues. 

Meanwhile, the General Authority for Statistics said 11 percent of Saudis over 15 visited cinemas last year, and the General Entertainment Authority logged nearly 77 million attendees at events in 2024 — underscoring the size of the broader entertainment ecosystem. 

Vinciquerra pointed to the surge in box office revenues and audience participation as evidence of strong underlying demand. 

“Will Smith came here. We made $28 million in box office, which is about what we are doing in England for a good film,” Vinciquerra said, citing Sony’s Bad Boys release in ��������. 

“So, that gives you an example of what could happen here if you have the right product and the right promotion and marketing,” he said, adding this is going to be “a terrific market in the future.”

The senior executive added that box office growth in �������� is extraordinary. “It’s one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, and the appetite for content is tremendous.” 

The Kingdom has also ramped up domestic production, with 17 Saudi films released in 2024, generating approximately SR76.6 million in revenue — a 19 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Saudi Film Commission's 2024 annual report. 

He added that what has been done in five years in �������� is what took other markets decades to achieve. “This country has massive curiosity and massive enthusiasm. That critical mass and momentum is essential to making an organization function the way it should.” 

Vinciquerra noted that the Kingdom’s embrace of cinema aligns with Vision 2030’s goals of diversifying the economy and enriching quality of life. He also emphasized the importance of experienced teams and government support in driving rapid progress. 

“The ministers in this country have been able to get people moving in the same direction,” he said.

Commenting on hiring the right people for the industry, he added: “Intelligence and experience are essential success factors, and having the right team in place can significantly drive progress.” 

RIYADH: �������� will establish the Middle East and North Africa’s first cultural university as it steps up investment in its creative economy. 

Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al-Saud unveiled the Riyadh University of Arts at the Cultural Investment Conference, saying the institution will begin operations in 2026. The university will focus on practice-based learning and global academic partnerships, with scholarships available to support emerging talents. 

The initiative is part of ��������’s broader efforts to nurture the cultural and creative industries in line with Vision 2030.

On its official X handle, the ministry stated: “During his speech at the Cultural Investment Conference 2025, HH Badr bin Abdullah Al-Saud, Minister of Culture, announced the launch of Riyadh University of Arts, the first cultural university in the Middle East and North Africa.”  

“RUA aims to champion creative learning with a teaching philosophy grounded in practice and project-based learning, and partnerships with internationally renowned academic partners in the various cultural disciplines,” the post added.   

The university’s vision is “to be the inspiring beacon of knowledge for future generations, integrating culture and arts, empowering students to discover passions and develop talents, fostering creativity and cultural exchange.”  

According to the post, the university's mission is to “cultivate an innovative educational environment in culture and arts, delivering cutting-edge programs that foster cultural and artistic engagement, enriching both the Saudi and global communities.”  

RUA’s campus in Irqah district will host 13 colleges across disciplines such as film, music, cultural management, visual arts and photography, culinary arts, heritage studies, and more.   

The first batch of academic programs will be launched under three colleges: the College of Theater and Performing Arts, the College of Music, and the College of Film. These will operate in collaboration with international cultural education institutions.  

The university will offer a wide range of academic credentials, including diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, Ph.Ds, and short courses. 

The launch reflects the Kingdom’s broader momentum in the cultural sector, which in 2024 attracted nearly 288,000 visitors to heritage-related events. Major attractions included the International Festival of Traditional Games in Riyadh, which drew more than 108,000 participants, and World Heritage Day, which welcomed over 54,000 visitors. Other initiatives such as the Diriyah-based Dirb Zubaida program, heritage village experiences, and traditional arts festivals, underscore the growing appetite for cultural and heritage activities.

These developments highlight the sector’s expanding role in promoting cultural awareness and safeguarding heritage.