Saudi Film Nights in China 2025: Screenings in 3 major cities
In a strategic move reflecting the deepening cultural ties between Riyadh and Beijing, the Saudi Film Commission continues its efforts to solidify the global standing of Saudi cinema by launching the third edition of the "Saudi Film Nights" event in the People's Republic of China. This highly anticipated cinematic tour is scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 7, 2025, serving as a cultural window through which Saudi culture can be viewed by the Far East.
Strategic dimensions and thoughtful selection of cities
The Film Commission's selection of host cities was not accidental, but rather the result of meticulous planning targeting China's economic and cultural centers. The screenings will tour Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu—cities characterized by high population density, advanced technological infrastructure, and status as global hubs for innovation and the arts. This selection ensures that Saudi creativity reaches a broad and influential segment of the Chinese audience, utilizing state-of-the-art cinemas to deliver a visual and auditory experience befitting the high standards of modern Saudi productions.
Film List: A Diversity Reflecting Identity
The event will feature screenings of four feature films representing the best of modern Saudi cinema: “Hopal,” “Salma and Qamar,” “Abd,” and “Ambulance.” To enrich the experience, the Authority will not limit itself to screenings but will also organize panel discussions and open dialogues bringing together the filmmakers with the audience and Chinese critics. These sessions aim to deconstruct the cultural symbols in the stories and explain the techniques used, thus fostering knowledge exchange and creating a direct artistic dialogue that transcends language barriers.
The Saudi-Chinese Year: A Historical and Diplomatic Context
This tour is of exceptional importance as it coincides with the “Saudi-Chinese Year of Cultural Cooperation.” This event culminates decades of diplomatic relations that have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Culture and the arts, particularly cinema, play a pivotal role in activating this partnership. Cinema is one of the most prominent tools of “soft power” that the Kingdom relies on to introduce its heritage, values, and evolving social reality to friendly nations, especially the Chinese people, who are eager to learn about different cultures.
The impact of Vision 2030 on the film industry
This strong international presence is a direct result of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which has placed culture and entertainment at the heart of its economic diversification plans and efforts to improve quality of life. Since the establishment of the Film Commission, the sector has witnessed significant leaps forward, including support for young talent, development of the production environment, and facilitation of filming within the Kingdom. The arrival of Saudi films in China, the world's second-largest film market, confirms the maturity of the Saudi experience and its ability to compete and attract international attention, opening up broad prospects for future cooperation in co-production and distribution.
In conclusion, the “Saudi Film Nights” in China represent more than just an artistic event; it is a civilizational message that affirms the Kingdom’s openness to the world, and its use of the universal language of the seventh art to build bridges of human communication, and to convey a true and bright image of the comprehensive cultural renaissance that Saudi Arabia is experiencing today.
