After Riyadh, Cinema Al Balad Arrives In Jeddah With Screening, Workshops & More!

If you swooned over Riyadh’s first arthouse cinema, then hold onto your popcorn, Jeddah’s jumping into the reel action next. Enter Cinema Al Balad Jeddah, an open-air cinema experience nestled in the historic heart of the city, where film meets culture and nostalgia gets a spotlight of its own.

Cinema Al Balad Brings Arthouse Vibes To Jeddah

 

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Running until Sunday, June 15, Cinema Al Balad isn’t just any pop-up. It’s a cinematic love letter to Al-Jumjum Cinema, the Kingdom’s first-ever open-air theatre. That humble space set the tone for how outdoor screenings could thrive in Saudi Arabia, and now, Jeddah’s own version is reviving the legacy with fresh frames and old-world charm.

Located in the atmospheric Haret Al-Mazloum quarter of Al Balad, the venue blends Hijazi-style interiors with modern touches. Think outdoor air-conditioning, twinkling lights, and rows of film buffs leaning into every scene. And with tickets priced at just SAR 10, it’s cheaper than your coffee. Showtimes kick off at 7 pm and 9 pm, making it a breezy evening escape. The cinema doesn’t just aim to entertain, it wants to inspire. It’s curating a lineup that celebrates Saudi creativity across the board: short films, thought-provoking documentaries, vintage classics, and global masterpieces. It’s all here, projected under the stars, with the soul of the city humming in the background.

A Creative Pulse

Cinema Al Balad isn’t stopping at screenings. It’s rolling out a full-throttle cultural calendar with cinema workshops and industry panels that could rival any international film fest. Expect to rub shoulders (or elbows) with directors, actors, composers, screenwriters, and more, each one adding their spark to Saudi’s growing film fire.

These events are more than talks, they’re spaces to collaborate, question, challenge, and champion storytelling. Whether you’re a curious film student or a closet screenwriter finally ready to come out, the cinema gives you a seat at the table. And let’s not forget the location, Al Balad itself. This UNESCO World Heritage Site carries centuries of stories in its walls. It’s a blend of old soul and new vision, and it couldn’t be more fitting.

Also Read: Say Hello To CINEHOUSE Riyadh! Saudi Arabia’s First Arthouse Cinema Now Open For The Public

Why It Matters

By spotlighting Saudi filmmakers, both seasoned pros and brave first-timers, Cinema Al Balad is helping shape a narrative the world’s finally starting to tune into. Cinema in Saudi Arabia has come a long way in a very short time. But it’s thoughtful, intimate initiatives like this that keep the momentum authentic and the vision community-led.

So if you’re in Jeddah and craving something real, raw, and refreshingly creative, you know where to go. Grab that SAR 10 ticket, show up with an open mind, and let the stories wash over you.

Where: Nadla Bin Khaled Alley, Al Balad
When:  Until Sunday, June 15
Cost: SAR 10,  Showtimes: 7pm & 9pm

Go for the films. Stay for the magic.

Cover Image Courtesy: Cinema Al Balad/Instagram