The Saudi Media Forum has announced that its sixth edition will be held in Riyadh from February 1 to 3, 2027, under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The announcement was made by President of the Saudi Media Forum Mohammed bin Fahad Al-Harthi during a reception hosted by the forum on the sidelines of MIPCOM in Cannes, France, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The event drew representatives of international companies, leading producers, and media executives, underscoring the growing global interest in Saudi Arabia’s media transformation.
Why does a date announcement made on the French Riviera resonate so strongly across the global media industry? Because it signals that the Kingdom is not simply attending international markets but actively shaping them. The Riyadh gathering, scheduled for early 2027, will build on five previous editions that have steadily expanded the forum’s reach. With more than 300 international speakers and over 150 sessions and workshops expected, the upcoming edition is positioned as a major meeting point for media leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators from around the world.
Context and Background
How did the Saudi Media Forum become a fixture on the international media calendar? The forum was established as a platform to advance the Kingdom’s media sector in line with the broader national transformation agenda. Over successive editions, it has evolved from a regional conference into a global gathering that attracts media organizations, investors, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Its growth mirrors the rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s media landscape, which has seen new production hubs, digital platforms, and content initiatives emerge across the country.
The announcement of the sixth edition came during the forum’s participation in MIPCOM in Cannes, one of the leading international gatherings for the television production and creative content industries. MIPCOM brings together distributors, producers, broadcasters, and rights holders from every continent, making it a natural venue for Saudi Arabia to present its media ambitions and forge new partnerships. The forum’s presence there reflects a deliberate strategy to connect Saudi media organizations with major international players and to attract investment into the Kingdom’s creative economy.
Mohammed bin Fahad Al-Harthi, President of the Saudi Media Forum, used the occasion to highlight the Kingdom’s broader strengths. He said that Saudi Arabia possesses significant capabilities, wise leadership, well-established institutions, and a clear vision for the future, strengthening its ability to address crises and challenges of varying levels and complexity. He explained that the Kingdom is not merely focused on confronting and managing challenges, but also on transforming them into opportunities while confidently pursuing its ambitious development agenda, drawing on its resources, experience, and growing capabilities.
Key Details of the Upcoming Edition
What can participants expect from the sixth edition in Riyadh? The program is designed to address the most pressing developments in the media sector, particularly digital transformation, sustainability, and media talent development. More than 300 international speakers, experts, and media professionals are expected to take part, alongside over 150 sessions and workshops. The participation of media leaders, policymakers, experts, and representatives of media and technology organizations from around the world will give the event a truly global character.
The forum also announced that the Future of Media Exhibition, known as FOMEX, will bring together more than 250 local and international companies and media channels. FOMEX is regarded as one of the region’s leading specialized platforms, aiming to attract global companies operating in production and advanced media technologies. It creates investment opportunities and strengthens partnerships within Saudi Arabia’s media sector, providing a showcase for the latest tools, services, and content solutions.
As part of its efforts to support innovation and empower national talent, the forum announced the launch of the third edition of the Media Innovation Camp. The initiative builds on ongoing efforts to develop innovative media solutions and harness emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. In addition, the forum launched the Production Market, a specialized business platform designed to enhance the economic value of media content by connecting content creators with buyers, leading producers, and decision-makers at the local, regional, and international levels. The platform will operate as part of FOMEX.
International and Regional Impact
Why does the Saudi Media Forum matter beyond the Kingdom’s borders? The event has become a bridge between Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing media ecosystem and the global industry. By hosting international speakers and companies in Riyadh, the forum facilitates knowledge exchange and opens channels for co-production, distribution, and investment. For regional media organizations, it offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with global decision-makers and to participate in conversations that shape the future of content creation and delivery.
The Production Market, in particular, is designed to turn networking into commercial deals. It will bring together production companies, producers, rights holders, digital platforms, television channels, media networks, and organizations involved in content acquisition and distribution. By creating a dedicated ecosystem that connects the various stakeholders across the content industry and marketplace, the platform aims to generate sustainable production partnerships. It will provide opportunities to showcase ready-to-distribute content, broadcasting rights, projects in development, and co-production opportunities, supported by a dedicated buyer program and pre-scheduled business meetings.
Al-Harthi emphasized that the Saudi Media Forum continues to develop its activities to become a sustainable international platform that extends beyond the scope of an annual conference. It seeks to bring together media organizations, companies, investors, creatives, and entrepreneurs, while fostering partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, and attracting investment in line with the rapid transformations taking place across the global media industry. This ambition positions the forum as a year-round catalyst for collaboration rather than a single event.
Economic and Strategic Significance
How does the forum support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification? The media and entertainment sector is a key component of the Kingdom’s efforts to broaden its economy beyond oil. By attracting international companies and investors, the forum and FOMEX contribute to the growth of a vibrant creative economy. The Production Market adds a commercial dimension by helping content creators and rights holders connect with buyers and financiers, thereby increasing the economic value of media content produced in the region and beyond.
The focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and talent development aligns with the demands of a rapidly changing industry. As streaming platforms, artificial intelligence, and new production technologies reshape how content is made and consumed, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a hub for innovation and a magnet for skilled professionals. The Media Innovation Camp, now in its third edition, reflects a commitment to nurturing national talent and harnessing emerging technologies to create solutions that can compete on a global scale.
Strategically, the forum enhances Saudi Arabia’s soft power and its role as a convener of global conversations. By hosting major international events and participating in markets such as MIPCOM, the Kingdom strengthens its diplomatic and commercial ties while projecting an image of openness and modernization. The presence of senior media executives and producers at the Cannes reception demonstrates that the international community recognizes the opportunities emerging in Saudi Arabia’s media landscape.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How does the Saudi Media Forum connect to Vision 2030? The forum’s objectives are closely tied to the national transformation plan’s goals of diversifying the economy, empowering youth, and enhancing the Kingdom’s global standing. Media is identified as a sector with significant growth potential, capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, and exporting cultural content. The forum’s expansion into a sustainable international platform supports these aims by building partnerships and facilitating knowledge transfer.
The upcoming edition in Riyadh will showcase the Kingdom’s capabilities as a host of world-class events and as a center for media innovation. By bringing together more than 300 speakers, 250 exhibitors, and thousands of participants, the forum will accelerate the development of a dynamic media ecosystem. As Saudi Arabia continues its journey toward a diversified and knowledge-based economy, the Saudi Media Forum stands as a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and strategic investment in the creative industries.
20 Questions
Q1. When and where will the sixth edition of the Saudi Media Forum take place?
A1. The sixth edition will be held in Riyadh from February 1 to 3, 2027, under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Q2. Who made the announcement of the upcoming edition?
A2. The announcement was made by Mohammed bin Fahad Al-Harthi, President of the Saudi Media Forum, during a reception on the sidelines of MIPCOM in Cannes, France.
Q3. What is MIPCOM and why is it significant?
A3. MIPCOM is one of the leading international gatherings for the television production and creative content industries, held annually in Cannes, France. It attracts global media executives and producers.
Q4. How many international speakers are expected at the 2027 edition?
A4. More than 300 international speakers, experts, and media professionals are expected to participate, along with over 150 sessions and workshops.
Q5. What key topics will the forum program address?
A5. The program will focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and media talent development, featuring media leaders, policymakers, and technology experts from around the world.
Q6. What is FOMEX and what does it aim to achieve?
A6. FOMEX is the Future of Media Exhibition held alongside the forum. It will bring together more than 250 local and international companies and media channels to showcase production and advanced media technologies.
Q7. What is the Media Innovation Camp?
A7. The Media Innovation Camp is an initiative now in its third edition, aimed at supporting innovation and empowering national talent by developing media solutions and harnessing emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence.
Q8. What is the Production Market and what will it do?
A8. The Production Market is a specialized business platform launched by the forum to connect content creators with buyers, producers, and decision-makers, enhancing the economic value of media content. It will operate as part of FOMEX.
Q9. Who will benefit from the Production Market?
A9. Production companies, producers, rights holders, digital platforms, television channels, media networks, and organizations involved in content acquisition and distribution will benefit from the platform.
Q10. What did Al-Harthi say about Saudi Arabia’s capabilities?
A10. He said Saudi Arabia possesses significant capabilities, wise leadership, well-established institutions, and a clear vision for the future, strengthening its ability to address challenges and transform them into opportunities.
Q11. How does the forum aim to become a sustainable international platform?
A11. The forum is developing activities that extend beyond an annual conference, bringing together media organizations, investors, creatives, and entrepreneurs to foster partnerships and attract investment year-round.
Q12. What is the significance of the forum’s participation in MIPCOM?
A12. Participation aims to strengthen investment partnerships and expand cooperation with major international media organizations, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s media ambitions on a global stage.
Q13. How does the forum support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification?
A13. By attracting international companies and investors, the forum contributes to growing the creative economy, a key pillar of the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify beyond oil.
Q14. What role does the forum play in developing national talent?
A14. Through initiatives like the Media Innovation Camp, the forum nurtures Saudi talent, encourages innovation, and equips professionals with skills in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Q15. What opportunities will the Production Market offer for content creators?
A15. It will provide opportunities to showcase ready-to-distribute content, broadcasting rights, projects in development, and co-production opportunities, with a dedicated buyer program and pre-scheduled business meetings.
Q16. How many companies are expected at FOMEX?
A16. More than 250 local and international companies and media channels are expected to participate in FOMEX, making it a leading specialized platform in the region.
Q17. What is the expected impact of the forum on the regional media landscape?
A17. The forum will facilitate knowledge exchange, open channels for co-production and investment, and provide regional media organizations with direct access to global decision-makers and trends.
Q18. How does the forum align with Vision 2030?
A18. It supports economic diversification, empowers youth, enhances global standing, and helps build a dynamic media sector capable of creating jobs and exporting cultural content.
Q19. What does the forum’s growth say about Saudi Arabia’s media sector?
A19. It reflects the rapid expansion and modernization of the Kingdom’s media landscape, including new production hubs, digital platforms, and content initiatives that attract global attention.
Q20. What can participants expect from the sixth edition in Riyadh?
A20. Participants can expect a world-class event with over 300 speakers, 150 sessions, FOMEX exhibition, the Production Market, and the Media Innovation Camp, all focused on shaping the future of media.
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