The Egyptian film industry has taken a significant turn, with a recent report highlighting Saudi Arabia as its main export market. This shift underscores a dynamic transformation in the region’s cinema landscape, driven by growing cross-cultural collaboration and expansion in the Saudi exhibition and production sectors. As the oldest and largest cinema industry in the Arab world, Egyptian cinema is now finding a new, lucrative audience in Saudi Arabia.
Rising Market Influence
According to the Cairo Film Connection report released during Cairo Industry Days, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the principal export market for Egyptian cinema. The rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s exhibition sector is a pivotal factor, providing substantial box office revenues for nine out of Egypt’s top ten film exports between 2021 and 2024. A remarkable 27% of the top 65 films in the all-time Saudi box office are Egyptian, emphasizing the increasing influence of Egyptian films in Saudi Arabia.
Success Stories Abroad
A few Egyptian films have managed to earn substantially more abroad than domestically. For instance, the romantic comedy “Bahebek” (“I Love You”), starring Tamer Hosni, grossed $2.8 million at home but soared to $22.9 million across West Asia. Similarly, “Sons of Rizk 3: Knockout” (2024) earned $6.1 million in Egypt against $22.3 million internationally. “A Stand Worthy of Men” (2021) also found success abroad, with $18.3 million overseas compared to $1.7 million in Egypt.
Boost from Egyptian-Saudi Collaborations
In 2024, Egyptian films held the third-largest market share in Saudi Arabia, trailing only U.S. and Indian films. A total of 33 Egyptian titles were released in Saudi Arabia, generating over $53 million, more than double their domestic total of $23.5 million. Partnerships between Egyptian and Saudi filmmakers have led to favorable tax treatments, benefiting films like Hani Khalifa’s thriller “Flight 404,” Egypt’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards.
Challenges and Opportunities
The decline in the dollar value of Egypt’s box office, predicted to drop to $36 million by 2025 from $59.6 million in 2019, is a concern. This decrease is attributed to the significant depreciation of the Egyptian pound. However, local box office revenues in Egyptian pounds have doubled since 2019 due to inflation. The industry is also recovering from a pandemic slump, with cinema admissions expected to reach 13.8 million by the end of 2025, nearing pre-pandemic levels.
Younger audiences dominate the cinema-going demographic, with those aged 18-29 making up a significant portion. Egyptian films account for about 20% of all releases but capture nearly 70% of box office revenue locally. While high-budget productions have traditionally dominated, mid-budget films and arthouse titles are also gaining traction.
The report emphasizes the role of the Cairo Film Connection in bolstering Arab cinema. It highlights recent accolades and festival premieres as evidence of the industry’s growing international presence. With strategic alliances and an expanding market footprint, the Egyptian film industry is poised for continued growth in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
