The Saudi Film Festival 2026 is happening super soon
The festival is happening at the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture
Lights, camera, action. The Saudi Film Festival 2026 is happening this month, and if you’re at all into the film industry, this is one event you should have on your radar.
Organised by the Cinema Association and supported by the Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the festival has just announced a new edition, continuing its presence as one of the most prominent cinematic platforms in the Kingdom and the Gulf region.
The 12th edition of the Saudi Film Festival, which will be held from Thursday April 23 to Wednesday April 29 at the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra), under the slogan “Cinema of the Journey,” offers filmmakers and film enthusiasts an opportunity to showcase their work, follow training and knowledge programs, and participate in dialogues and initiatives that connect the industry locally and internationally.
It’s not just about supporting filmmakers, though; the festival also gives cinema lovers a unique space to interact with the most prominent names in the film industry within the Kingdom and to watch independent works that rarely find their way to commercial theatres.
Saudi Film Festival 2026 programs
For a full week, the Saudi Film Festival offers a rich and diverse program that places its visitors at the heart of a complete cinematic experience. Starting off strong, we’ve got the red carpet, then there’s the Production Market, a vital platform that brings together filmmakers, producers, and financiers, along with local and international talent, in an interactive space that fosters collaboration and the exchange of expertise.
You can also look forward to film screenings, the cornerstone of the festival, showcasing a selection of Saudi and Gulf films, series of cultural seminars, specialised workshops, and panel discussions, along with expert meetings that offer direct dialogue with industry professionals.
Festival tickets and passes
The Saudi Film Festival 2026 offers its visitors a diverse range of packages, as follows:
One-day pass – SAR75
- This card allows visitors access to: Unlimited attendance to daily film screenings
- Fan experience on the red carpet.
Weekend pass – SAR150
- Unlimited attendance for film screenings from April 24 to 25.
- Fan experience on the red carpet.
Festival pass – SAR300
- Unlimited attendance at film screenings from April 24 to 29.
- Fan experience on the red carpet.
Filmmaker pass – SAR500
- Unlimited attendance to film screenings from April 24 to 29.
- Fan experience on the red carpet.
- Production Market: Access to exhibitions of entities and companies to build networks and relationships, develop partnerships, and launch projects.
- Dialogue sessions, advanced workshops, and presentations.
- Expert Meeting Program: Exclusive sessions with industry experts to provide guidance and professional advice.
- Project Showroom: A dedicated space to showcase your projects
- Book signing events
More about the Saudi Film Festival
Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has established itself as the Kingdom’s first cinematic platform and has actively contributed to building a supportive environment that embraces filmmakers locally and regionally. Throughout its editions, the festival has provided opportunities to showcase cinematic works, develop scripts, and participate in specialised training programs, in addition to opening up broad horizons for professional networking and building partnerships that pave the way for future projects.
Location: Saudi Film Festival, King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, Ithra, Dhahran, Eastern Province
Dates: April 23 to 29
Registration: You can now register and book your tickets through the website here.
