RIYADH — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will participate in 74th annual Cannes Film Festival, which will be held during the period from July 6 to 17, 2021.

The Saudi pavilion participating in the festival includes many government and private sectors and Saudi companies specialized in the field, namely: Film Authority, Ministry of Investment, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the Red Sea International Film Festival, the MBC channel group, Ithraa, the NEOM Company, Nebras Films, Cinewaves films, TV 11, Arabian Pictures Group, in addition to a group of filmmakers and those interested in this field.

The Saudi pavilion will host several seminars organized by Saudi authorities participating in the festival, through which they will review the investment opportunities in the film industry in Saudi Arabia, the great support being provided for this vital sector, along with opening windows of communication between Saudi filmmakers and investors and their international counterparts participating in the festival.

The Saudi participation in this global event comes in the context of local efforts interested in the film sector in Saudi Arabia, led by the Film Authority to develop the film industry and enhance communication with the most prominent leaders of the sector from around the world.

Saudi Arabia took part in the Cannes Film Festival for the first time in 2018. While it has not yet been revealed which Saudi films will be screened at the festival, since 2020 the industry has seen the release of multiple critically acclaimed films, including: “40 years and one night,” “The Book of Sun” and “Carnival City.” — SPA