The European Film Festival is making a much-anticipated return to Riyadh, immersing cinephiles in a carefully curated selection of celebrated European films.
The unique event provides a key platform to promote European cinema to Arab audiences, allow Saudi filmmakers to connect with their European counterparts, and foster cultural exchange. It also underscores the Kingdom’s growing status as a rising power in the industry.
European Film Festival 2025
From November 3-11, 2025, the fourth edition of the European Film Festival will kick off at VOX Cinemas Century Corner in Riyadh. The event is organized by the European Union Delegation in collaboration with Arabia Pictures, the Embassies of the EU member states and VOX Cinemas.
The film festival will feature 15 movies from across Europe, as well as two side events with European filmmakers. Countries participating in the event include Italy, Ukraine, Austria, Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, Portugal, France and Spain.
A Cultural Bridge
First launched in 2022, the European Film Festival aims to foster a rich cultural dialogue between the European Union and Arab countries through the most universal language; cinema.
The festival serves as a platform to screen and promote European movies to Arab audiences and showcase local talent on an international stage. Moreover, it allows Saudi and European filmmakers to connect, exchange expertise and discuss industry challenges.
By convening filmmakers and industry experts from across Europe and the Arab region, the festival promotes the film industry in both regions, creating promising opportunities for learning and collaboration.
Diverse Selection
In its fourth edition, the European Film Festival in Riyadh will screen a distinguished selection of movies, including diverse genres from drama to satire and inspirational storytelling.
The event features a packed lineup of films from 15 countries; each will be screened with English and Arabic subtitles. The films include Titina from Norway; EL 47 from Spain; Flow from Latvia; The Secret of Pin-Up Island from Romania; The Sock from Cyprus; and Moon from Austria.
It also includes We Believe You from Belgium; Sons from Denmark; There’s Still Tomorrow from Italy; Us, Our Pets and the War from Ukraine; and 13 Days, 13 Nights from France.
📽️4th European Film Festival in 🇸🇦 is taking place on 3-11 November @VOX_Cinemas_KSA Century Corner in #Riyadh. We will have 15 movies & 2 free side-events with European filmmakers. Don’t miss out on this unique cinema experience 👉 More info & tickets: https://t.co/XgdMvVSWyi pic.twitter.com/kdDtHAgGbD
— EU in the GCC (@EUintheGCC) October 30, 2025
Furthermore, the festival will host two side events: “Immersive Visions: The Role of VR in the Future of Filmmaking,” featuring Mārtiņš Upītis, an animator from Latvia, and “Animation Films: Surpassing geography and age,” featuring Kajsa Næss, an animation filmmaker from Norway.
Saudi Film Industry
Since lifting the ban on cinema in 2018, the film industry in Saudi Arabia has recorded a remarkable growth, establishing the Kingdom’s position as an emerging power in the regional and global film industry.
According to Saudi Arabia’s Film Industry 2024 report, released by the Saudi Film Commission on September 30, the Kingdom opened 630 screens across 64 cinemas, selling over 17.5 million tickets. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure development included 17 film studios equipped with 37 sound stages.
Meanwhile, the number of production companies has increased to 65, supporting 14 projects with total production spending on these films amounting to SAR 93.68 million.
During 2024, Saudi Arabia’s prestigious film festivals and events, such as the Red Sea International Film Festival, the Saudi Film Festival, and Gulf Cinema Festival, attracted more than 75,600 participants.
