The keynote, hosted by Deadline’s Diana Lodderhose, began with Maraval explaining his approach to selecting and investing in projects, which he described as “talent-led” before discussing the evolution he has witnessed in the Middle Eastern market.
Saudi Arabia lifted its decades-long ban on cinema in 2017. The move fell within the country’s Vision 2030 program spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud as part of sweeping reforms to open up its society and the economy. He added that the most exciting part about the growth in Saudi and other developing markets is the make-up of the audience.