Meshary AlKhayyat

Source: Saudi Film Confex

Meshary AlKhayyat

The third edition of Saudi Film Confex runs in Riyadh from October 22-25, bringing together  filmmakers and executives from Saudi Arabia and around the world.

Saudi Film Confex director Meshary AlKhayyat tells Screen about this year’s event, which spans an exhibition, conference and masterclasses.

Tell us a little about Confex - what are its aims and ambitions?

Saudi Arabia has become the fastest-growing and most dynamic film market in the Middle East, a position that calls for a major industry platform connecting the public and private sectors to shape the future of cinema in the Kingdom.

Saudi Film Confex has become a defining platform for the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding film industry. With a growing number of cinemas, diverse local productions, and an emerging generation of Saudi filmmakers, Confex reflects the confidence and creative energy shaping the national film scene.

It invites the world to come here, where filmmakers, producers, and creators from all over can connect with Saudi talent, to share ideas, collaborate, and make things happen. In just three years, it’s become one of the most exciting gatherings in the regional film calendar, helping to put Saudi talent and stories on the world stage.

Organised by the Saudi Film Commission, Confex is about connection; between local and global, ideas and action. It’s a reflection of how culture and creativity are driving the spirit of Vision 2030.

To someone attending for the first time, what can they expect?

Confex is a four-day celebration of films in every sense. It’s lively, hands-on, and full of opportunity. You’ll meet producers, distributors, studios, investors, and students, all under one roof.

There’s a world-class exhibition, inspiring talks by more than 60 speakers via more than 50 panel discussions and creative workshops led by experts from Saudi Arabia and around the world. You’ll also see first-hand how the Kingdom has built a film scene that’s both deeply local and globally connected.

But most of all, it’s about energy and exchange through people learning from each other and seeing what’s possible when creativity meets ambition.

How will this year’s edition differ from last year’s?

This year marks a major leap forward — more countries, exhibitors, and ideas. We’re hosting over 130 exhibitors and more than 60 speakers from around the world. New interactive zones include the On-Set Challenge, Kids’ Cinema Zone, and a dedicated platform for investment and partnership signings.

The expansion reflects the growing strength of Saudi cinema, a sector that’s no longer emerging, but leading regional growth and attracting global collaboration.

Can you tell us about Confex’s exhibitors?

This year, more than 130 exhibitors are participating representing the full film value chain from studios and distributors to post-production firms, tech providers, and education partners.

It’s a real snapshot of the global film ecosystem, from creative development to finance and production. We’re welcoming exhibitors Saudi Arabia and across Europe, Asia, and North America, which shows how much interest there is in what’s happening in Saudi Arabia.

And it’s not just about showcasing; it’s about deals getting done. The past two editions saw more than 50 agreements signed on-site, and we expect even more collaborations this year.

Can you give us a flavour of the international conference?

The conference brings together voices from every corner of the film world, including producers, directors, tech innovators, and creative thinkers. This year’s sessions focus on key themes shaping the industry, like AI in filmmaking, film finance, sustainability, and how cinema connects with tourism and culture.

The line-up always surprises and inspires including HRH Prince Turki AlFaisal, Will Smith, Luc Jacquet, and Johnny Depp, and this year we’re continuing that mix of star power and serious insight. But really, it’s about one thing: making more films and build a more sustainable industry for everyone.

What kind of visitors are you expecting this year, and where are they from?

We expect more than 60,000 visitors from over 30 countries including filmmakers, producers, investors, students, and film enthusiasts.

What makes Confex special is the mix: global experts and Saudi professionals meeting under one roof, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange that drives the industry forward.

This is the third edition of Confex. How have you seen the Saudi film industry develop in that time?

The transformation has been extraordinary. Since 2020, box office revenues have almost doubled from around $119m (SAR445m) to $225m (SAR845m) in 2024, while ticket sales have risen by more than 160%. The number of cinemas has doubled too, from 31 to 64 locations, and screens have grown from 317 to over 650 across the country.

Saudi films are also thriving. Local productions have achieved record revenues exceeding$32m (SAR120m) this year, with three Saudi titles ranking among the top ten at the box office.

This growth demonstrates the vitality of the Saudi market and its emergence as a regional powerhouse for filmmaking, investment, and creative talent.

Saudi Film Confex runs from October 22-25

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