After the Film Commission decided to reduce the licensing costs for practicing and operating theaters, a significant decrease in the cost of movie tickets is anticipated in Saudi Arabia. The decision to lower license prices was authorized by the Film Commission Board of Directors, which is presided over by Prince Badr bin Abdullah, Minister of Culture. These include the costs associated with obtaining licenses to operate both temporary and permanent theaters, as well as licensing for theaters serving particular populations.
Following their reduction, the Film Commission disclosed the revised prices for theater licenses, which are as follows:
Permission to conduct business as an operator of long-term or short-term movie theaters, or those with certain requirements:
Permanent cinema: Instead of SR210,000, the discounted price in "A" category cities is SR $25,000. Cities in the "B" category will now pay SR15,000 instead of SR126,000, and cities in the "C" category will now pay SR5,000 instead of SR84,000.
Temporary cinema: In category "A" cities, the price is SR15,000 as opposed to SR105,000. In cities classified as "B," the reduction in costs is SR10,000 as opposed to SR63,000, while in places classified as "C," the cost is SR5,000 as opposed to SR42,000.
Additionally, the commission reduced the cost of obtaining a license to run a theater and screen one or more movies either permanently or temporarily:
Permanent Cinema: SR3,000 per branch, as opposed to SR21,000 per screen, is the discounted rate in "A" category cities. those in the "B" category pay SR2,000 instead of SR12,600, and those in the "C" category pay SR1,000 instead of SR8,400.
Temporary cinema: Instead of paying SR5,000 per screen, the reduced price in "A" category cities is SR500 per branch. The current fee in "C" category cities is SR500 instead of SR5000, while the reduced fee in "B" category cities is SR500 instead of SR5,000.
At the commission board meeting, it was decided to give the Film Commission the authority to grant licenses for the operation of production studios, the creation of visual and audio content, the distribution of cinematographic films, and the granting of no-objection licenses for cinematography. Applications for permits will be sent to the commission via the Ibdaa cultural platform.
In order to encourage the private sector to lower ticket prices and offer the public appealing promotions, the board has approved the activation of financial compensation discounts for cinema ticket revenues and fees. This will help to expand and open a large number of cinema screens, as well as wider screenings of Saudi films at the local box office.
