4th cinema license awarded to Lux Entertainment Co.

Media Minister Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad on Wednesday awarded a fourth license to operate a cinema to Lux Entertainment Co. in partnership with Al-Hokair Group for Tourism and Development, Sinopolis International and Al-Taeir Group.

The partnership seeks to establish some 300 cinemas in 15 cities and towns across the Kingdom within five years.

In December 2017, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media approved the issuance of licenses to open cinemas in order to support the film sector, stimulate economic growth and diversification, and provide job opportunities.

In June 2018, Al-Awwad handed over the third cinema operation license to the Al-Rashed United Group — Empire Cinema.

The company is looking to build 30 theaters in several Saudi cities over the next three years.

In April 2018, Vox Cinemas, a subsidiary of Majid Al-Futtaim, won the second license to operate cinemas in the Kingdom.

Majid Al-Futtaim will invest SR2 billion to open 600 screens and provide 3,000 jobs in the next five years.

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. was granted the first cinema license in Saudi Arabia.

AMC will open around 40 cinemas in 15 Saudi cities over the next five years.