First cinema opens in Jeddah today

Jeddah’s first cinema opened its doors to the public today, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The opening ceremony was attended by Badr bin Hussein Al-Zahrani, chief executive officer of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAMSA) on behalf of the Minister of Media Turki Al-Shabana, in addition to several prominent state and public figures.

"More cinemas will be opened over the coming period across the Kingdom, in line with    
the Saudi Quality of Life program 2020 and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030," Al-Zahrani said. 

Research from PwC Middle East in November estimated that total cinema revenue in Saudi Arabia would reach $1.5 billion by 2030. The forecast was based on a projected 2030 population of 39.5 million, and 6.6 screens per 100,000 people. 

Last year, Vox Cinemas said it would be investing $533 million to open 600 theaters in the next five years.