Minister of Information Announces Launch of 'Riyadh Lions Festival': The First Regional Platform for the 'Cannes Lions' Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, December 2027

The Minister of Information, Salman bin Youssef Al-Dosari, announced the launch of the 'Riyadh Lions Festival' for creative marketing, which will be held at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh from December 6 to 8, 2027. This festival is a regional event within the global 'Lions' ecosystem and is organized by 'Tahaluf' in partnership with the Ministry of Information.

The festival aims to support the growth of the creative economy in the Kingdom by attracting global expertise, transferring knowledge, developing national talents, and opening new horizons for investment and partnerships. It also seeks to enhance Saudi Arabia's and the Arab world's presence on the international creative industries map and connect regional creatives with global standards and markets.

The festival will gather top marketing executives, creative leaders, agencies, brands, and emerging talents from the region and the world. Its program will focus on creative excellence, effectiveness, culture, and the future of the sector.

Al-Dosari stated, "Creativity and storytelling have deep roots in Saudi Arabia and Middle Eastern culture. Today, a new generation is building on this heritage with confidence, capability, and ambition to shape the future of this story." He added that the festival "embodies the progress witnessed by our creative industries and the Kingdom's commitment to nurturing the talents and ideas behind them, enabling our creative voices to play a larger role in the future."

The festival targets the growth of the creative economy in the Kingdom by attracting global expertise and talents, transferring knowledge, developing national capabilities, and opening new horizons for investment and quality job opportunities. It also aims to empower Saudi creatives and connect them with international networks and markets, enhancing the localization of creative industries.

Faisal bin Saud Al-Khamisi, Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of 'Tahaluf' and Chairman of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, stated that since the launch of Vision 2030, the Kingdom has quickly established itself as one of the world's leading destinations for hosting major international events, from Formula 1 and the 2034 World Cup to Riyadh Season, Expo 2030, LEAP Conference, and the Future Investment Initiative. He considered the decision of the 'Lions' ecosystem to launch a festival in Riyadh a "significant milestone reflecting the growing international importance of the Kingdom and the exceptional creative potential of the Arab world."

Philip Thomas, Chairman of the Board of 'Lions', said that the Middle East is "entering a remarkable new creative era, from cinema, fashion, gaming, design, and entertainment to brand storytelling, led by a rapidly growing young demographic." He confirmed that 'Riyadh Lions' will provide "access to global standards, knowledge insights, and learning opportunities, connecting regional talents and ambitions with global expertise and opportunities."

The festival is part of a series of regional platforms complementing the 'Cannes Lions Festival', which remains the core and international standard for creative excellence. Meanwhile, 'Dubai Lynx' remains the established awards platform for the Middle East and North Africa region. 'Riyadh Lions' is designed to complement both by bringing together the broader marketing ecosystem in the Kingdom, developing talents, and linking regional ideas with global networks. The festival's program, speakers, and participating brands will be announced in the coming months.

'Tahaluf', based in Riyadh, is a joint venture between the global company 'Informa' and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, along with the Investment Events Fund. It manages a portfolio of exhibitions and digital platforms.