Saudi men poses for a photograph at an invitation-only screening of Black Panther at the King Abdullah Financial District Theatre, in Riyadh. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
An actor poses with a replica cinema projector as visitors arrive at an invitation-only screening of Black Panther. Amr Nabil / AP Photo
Attendance to private screenings this month in Riyadh is by invitation only, with a public opening to follow in May. Amr Nabil / AP Photo
The screenings mark another milestone under social and economic reforms spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
A woman poses for photographs at an invitation-only screening of Black Panther. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
The kingdom banned cinemas in early 1979. However, films have been shown in the kingdom for decades, just not in commercial settings. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
To serve a population of more than 32 million, most of whom are under the age of 30, authorities plan to set up around 350 cinemas with over 2,500 screens by 2030. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
Majid Al Futtaim, the conglomerate behind Ski Dubai and Vox Cinema, expects to obtain a licence to operate screens in the kingdom and 'soon'. Amr Nabil / AP Photo
Amr Nabil / AP Photo
Saudi men poses for a photograph at an invitation-only screening of Black Panther at the King Abdullah Financial District Theatre, in Riyadh. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
An actor poses with a replica cinema projector as visitors arrive at an invitation-only screening of Black Panther. Amr Nabil / AP Photo
Attendance to private screenings this month in Riyadh is by invitation only, with a public opening to follow in May. Amr Nabil / AP Photo
The screenings mark another milestone under social and economic reforms spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
A woman poses for photographs at an invitation-only screening of Black Panther. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
The kingdom banned cinemas in early 1979. However, films have been shown in the kingdom for decades, just not in commercial settings. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
To serve a population of more than 32 million, most of whom are under the age of 30, authorities plan to set up around 350 cinemas with over 2,500 screens by 2030. Fayez Nureldine / AFP Photo
Majid Al Futtaim, the conglomerate behind Ski Dubai and Vox Cinema, expects to obtain a licence to operate screens in the kingdom and 'soon'. Amr Nabil / AP Photo
Amr Nabil / AP Photo
Saudi Arabia ushers in new cinema era with VIP screening of Black Panther
Superhero film shown to dignitaries and industry officials with screens expected to open to the general public next month
