Way before the official return of cinemas to Saudi, there have already been mini screenings that took place this week. It seems everyone in the Kingdom can’t contain their excitement! 

According to a report by Reuters, a feature-length children’s animated film played in a makeshift theatre this weekend. The movie of choice was The Emoji movie. 

Cinemas are set to return in March, after a 35-year-long wait 

Soon after announcements on the lift of the ban on women driving, or visiting stadiums came a surprise, the arrival of cinemas. Before its proposed month of inauguration, however; Jeddah’s cultural hall has created a makeshift theatre complete with a popcorn machine and a projector. It screened for an entire week.

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Until now, there is no infrastructure for movie theaters, so we are trying to take advantage of (alternative) venues to approximate the cinematic form. We tried to use these films to be a starting point as the first cinematic screening after the decision on Dec. 11 to permit movie theaters.

Mamdouh Salim (his Cinema 70 brand organised the screenings)

Saudis who watched the movie with their children had good things to say about the experience…

A 28-year-old father told Reuters that he was happy to see the movie in theatre instead of staying at home, adding that it was a nice change of scenery.

Saudi is expecting to open 300 cinemas by 2030

This seems like a large industry in the making, that is about to hit the Kingdom. By 2030, the Kingdom aims to already have 2,000 screens and 300 cinemas. If this follows suit, it could potentially give job opportunities to 30,000 people.