Saudi Arabia’s First “Korean Film Week” Successfully Opens in Riyadh

From January 19 to 23, 2025, “Korean Film Week” was held at CINEHOUSE in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organized by the Saudi Film Commission in cooperation with the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), the event was part of the Art Cinema Initiative aimed at expanding the reach of art films in Saudi Arabia and fostering cultural exchange between Korea and Saudi Arabia.

CINEHOUSE: A New Hub for Film Culture

The venue for this film week, CINEHOUSE, is Saudi Arabia’s first arthouse cinema, which opened in Riyadh in October 2024. Founded under the leadership of Saudi film producer Faisal Baltyuor, the cinema was established not only as a screening venue but also as a cultural hub to showcase global film diversity and connect creators with audiences. CINEHOUSE features an 80-seat boutique theater, a restaurant, and a lounge, equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as Dolby Atmos sound and 4K laser projection. Baltyuor emphasized, “I want to make CINEHOUSE not just a place to watch films, but a space where filmmakers and audiences can gather to share dialogue and inspiration.”

Opening Ceremony and Atmosphere

At the opening reception on January 19, attendees included Abdullah Al-Eyaf, CEO of the Saudi Film Commission; Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Festival; Moon Sung-kyung, programmer of the Jeonju International Film Festival; Saudi actor Baraa Alem; and CINEHOUSE representatives. They discussed film industry cooperation and future possibilities for exchange. CINEHOUSE operates as a cinema where audiences can order and enjoy food inside the theater. For Korean Film Week, special Korean menu items such as ramyeon and tteokbokki were offered, giving audiences a unique cultural experience.

The opening film was Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite. Although certain scenes were edited in accordance with Saudi cultural norms, local audiences strongly resonated with the film’s social messages and narrative, responding with enthusiastic applause.

Promotional poster and screening scene of the opening film Parasite – Source: CINEHOUSE

Following the screening, a discussion took place between Jeonju IFF programmer Moon Sung-kyung and Saudi actor Baraa Alem, under the theme “The Universal Appeal of Korean Cinema.” They explored the global attractiveness of Korean cinema and its points of connection with Saudi audiences.

Promotional poster and scene of the opening ceremony talk program – Source: CINEHOUSE

Moon also drew on his past experience as KOFIC’s delegate in Latin America, explaining how Korean films have been received around the world. He highlighted the role of government support policies—such as the screen quota system—as a foundation for the growth of the Korean film industry, noting that this could offer valuable insights for Saudi Arabia’s developing film sector.

Film Lineup

Korean Film Week' has showcased major works of Korean cinema in recent years, presenting local audiences with a wide spectrum of genres. Starting with Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, the lineup included Kim Yong-hwa’s Korean-style sci-fi blockbuster The Moon, Kim Jee-woon’s meta-cinema Cobweb about a film within a film, Uhm Tae-hwa’s disaster blockbuster Concrete Utopia, and Ryoo Seung-wan’s much-anticipated crime action film I, The Executioner (Veteran 2).

Ties with Saudi Vision 2030

This first-ever Korean Film Week in Riyadh holds great significance as the first Korean film event in Saudi film history, symbolizing a new chapter in bilateral film exchange. Beyond a cultural showcase, it represents Saudi Arabia’s growing connection with the global film industry. The event also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 cultural diversification strategy. The universal appeal and global success of Korean cinema were presented to local audiences, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding its ties with world cinema.

Furthermore, the Saudi Film Commission–KOFIC partnership, signed in February 2025, reinforces this momentum. Building on this foundation, collaborative projects in co-production, talent exchange, and international distribution are being pursued—generating synergies that align with Vision 2030’s goal of cultural industry diversification.

Written by Jung Hyo-jung, KOFIC Correspondent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Original KOFIC report (Click)