Saudi Cultural Development Fund Concludes Participation in 75th Berlin International Film Festival
Riyadh, February 20, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has successfully concluded its participation in the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), held from February 13 to 19, as part of the Saudi pavilion. The event provided an opportunity for CDF to engage with international filmmakers, industry professionals, and potential investors, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a dynamic and rapidly growing film hub.
As a key financial enabler of the Kingdom’s cultural sector, CDF showcased its financial solutions through Cultural Financing, emphasizing its commitment to empowering local and international filmmakers to launch and expand their projects in Saudi Arabia. The initiative plays a crucial role in facilitating investment across the entire film value chain, supporting projects ranging from content creation to infrastructure development.
CDF’s participation in Berlinale aimed to foster strategic partnerships with leading figures in the global film community, positioning Saudi Arabia as an attractive destination for filmmakers and production companies. A key highlight was the presentation of Cultural Financing, a comprehensive financial framework that supports projects across 16 cultural sectors, including film. The program offers flexible financing solutions tailored to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enabling businesses to establish and expand operations while ensuring long-term sustainability and profitability.
Further solidifying its commitment to the industry, CDF recently announced the successful closure of fundraising for the Saudi Film Fund, securing SAR 375 million from 10 local and international investors. The fund, developed in partnership with the private sector, is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. With CDF as an anchor investor contributing 40% of the total capital, the initiative is set to boost film production capabilities, enhance sector-related infrastructure, and strengthen the industry’s contribution to the national economy.
The Berlin International Film Festival, recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic events, serves as a major platform for talent discovery and cross-cultural dialogue. With Saudi Arabia’s film sector thriving under Vision 2030, CDF’s engagement at Berlinale underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to developing a globally competitive film industry that fosters creativity, attracts investment, and enhances the country’s role as a regional hub for content production.