The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the organization of the second edition of the Riyadh Film Music Festival, running from July 30 to August 9, 2025, at the Red Hall of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The event will feature music composers from around the world.

The second edition of the Riyadh Film Music Festival offers an audiovisual experience, blending screenings of famous films with live orchestral performances. This initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to promoting arts and stimulating cultural movement in the capital, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The festival’s second edition explores the musical dimensions of cinematic works through a diverse program, showcasing global films accompanied by live orchestral performances. Highlights include: Top Gun: Maverick, where Tom Cruise plays the legendary pilot “Maverick” in an action-packed adventure, screened alongside a live orchestral performance; Pirates of the Caribbean, featuring the classic sea adventure led by Captain Jack Sparrow, with live renditions of famous scores, including He’s a Pirate; Back to the Future, the iconic time-travel journey with Marty McFly and Dr. Brown, presented in its original version with a live performance of Alan Silvestri’s compositions; and The Lion King, where Simba’s legendary journey returns in a live musical experience, blending the film’s emotional scenes with Hans Zimmer’s redefining animated film scores.

The Riyadh Film Music Festival is part of the lifestyle sector initiatives by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and one of the accompanying events for the Esports World Cup. It aims to host some of the world’s most significant and largest events, diversifying recreational and artistic options for residents and visitors, further solidifying Riyadh’s position on the global arts and cultural map.

For more information on shows and tickets for the Riyadh Film Music Festival: (https://webook.com).

Red Hall

The **Red Hall** (also known as the *Kızıl Avlu* in Turkish) is an ancient Roman temple located in Bergama, Turkey. Built during the 2nd century AD under Emperor Hadrian, it was dedicated to the Egyptian gods Serapis, Isis, and Harpocrates. The massive red-brick structure later served as a Byzantine church and remains a notable archaeological site today.

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is the largest women’s university in the world, established in 1970 as the first women’s college in the country. Initially named *Riyadh University for Women*, it was renamed in 2008 in honor of Princess Nourah, the sister of Saudi Arabia’s founder, King Abdulaziz. Today, PNU offers a wide range of academic programs and plays a key role in advancing women’s education in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh Film Music Festival

The **Riyadh Film Music Festival** is an annual event in Saudi Arabia that celebrates the art of film scoring and soundtracks, showcasing local and international talent. Launched as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to promote cultural and entertainment growth, it highlights the role of music in cinema through performances, workshops, and competitions. The festival reflects Riyadh’s emerging creative scene and its commitment to fostering artistic innovation.

Top Gun: Maverick

“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) is a sequel to the iconic 1986 film *Top Gun*, starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a daring naval aviator training a new generation of pilots for a high-stakes mission. The film pays homage to its predecessor while showcasing advanced aerial cinematography and real fighter jet stunts. Though fictional, it reflects the enduring legacy of the U.S. Navy’s Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and its role in elite pilot training.

Pirates of the Caribbean

*Pirates of the Caribbean* is a famous dark ride attraction at Disney theme parks, first opening at Disneyland in 1967. Inspired by pirate legends and Caribbean folklore, it features animatronic pirates in scenes of chaotic plunder, with a storyline later adapted into the blockbuster film series. The ride’s immersive design and iconic theme song, *”Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me),”* have made it a beloved classic in Disney history.

He’s a Pirate

“He’s a Pirate” is not a place or cultural site but rather the iconic musical theme composed by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer for the 2003 film *Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl*. The energetic, swashbuckling score became synonymous with pirate adventures in popular culture and remains one of the most recognizable movie themes. While not tied to a physical location, it evokes the romanticized golden age of piracy in the Caribbean during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Back to the Future

“Back to the Future” is a iconic 1985 science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The story follows teenager Marty McFly, who accidentally travels back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by Dr. Emmett Brown, and must ensure his parents fall in love to secure his own existence. The film became a cultural phenomenon, spawning two sequels and leaving a lasting legacy in pop culture with its humor, memorable quotes, and themes of adventure and family.

The Lion King

*The Lion King* is a renowned Broadway musical based on Disney’s 1994 animated film of the same name. It premiered in 1997 and is known for its innovative puppetry, vibrant costumes, and music by Elton John and Hans Zimmer, drawing inspiration from African culture and Shakespeare’s *Hamlet*. The story follows Simba, a young lion prince, on his journey to reclaim his throne after his father’s death. It remains one of the highest-grossing and longest-running musicals in history.