Inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival Sparks Global Attention and Controversy

The inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival, running from September 26 to October 9, 2025, at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has become a focal point of both entertainment and controversy. Featuring over 50 international comedians, including Kevin Hart, Russell Peters, and Pete Davidson, the festival aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global cultural hub.

Announced on July 23, 2025, by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, the festival is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the economy and promote cultural openness. The event showcases a variety of comedy styles, such as stand-up, satire, sketch, and improv, across multiple venues within Boulevard City.

However, the festival has drawn significant criticism from human rights organizations and fellow comedians. Human Rights Watch accused the Saudi government of using the event to "deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations," especially as it coincides with the seventh anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder.

Comedians such as Marc Maron and Zach Woods have publicly criticized the event, while others like Tim Dillon were reportedly removed from the lineup after making controversial remarks about Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

The festival's timing and scale are unprecedented in the region, reflecting the country's broader ambitions under Vision 2030. By hosting such a large-scale international event, Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance its global image and attract tourism.

This situation presents a complex intersection of entertainment, politics, and human rights, raising questions about the role of artists in international events hosted by countries with contentious human rights records.