The Saudi Arabian region of AlUla is preparing to host a new wave of international film and television productions in the coming weeks, reflecting the accelerating pace of Saudi investment in the content and entertainment industry. This is part of a strategy aimed at transforming the creative sector into a driver of economic diversification and enhancing the Kingdom's position on the international film production map.

Philip Jones, CEO of Tourism at the Royal Commission for AlUla, told AGBI that the region is preparing to welcome two new projects currently under development, in addition to five or six other productions considering starting filming in AlUla within the next two weeks. He confirmed that the names of these projects cannot be disclosed at this time due to non-disclosure agreements.

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Investment incentives and competitive advantages are being offered to the Saudi film industry.

These projects come at a time when Saudi Arabia continues to expand its investments in the media and entertainment sector, benefiting from an integrated system that includes financial incentives and modern infrastructure. The aim is to attract international production companies from Hollywood and Bollywood, following the lifting of the ban on cinemas in 2018.

Developing the film industry is one of the main pillars of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economic base, develop creative industries, and increase the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP.

As part of enhancing the Kingdom's competitiveness, the government raised the cash reimbursement rate for film and television production costs from 40% to up to 60% of eligible domestic spending, a decision announced during the Cannes Film Festival last May.

This increase in incentives came at a time when the region was experiencing disruptions in air travel and tourism as a result of the war between Israel, the United States, and Iran, which erupted in late February. This underscored the importance of offering competitive advantages to maintain the Kingdom's attractiveness as a regional hub for film production. (

Our Habitas AlUla Resort, Saudi Arabia)

International film production in AlUla is expanding

, building on a series of productions it has hosted since 2020, when the Russo brothers chose the region to film "Cherry," starring Tom Holland.

It later hosted the action film "Kandahar," starring Gerard Butler, which was the first major international feature film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, as well as "Norah," the first Saudi film to be shot in AlUla.

Most recently, filming began on "Chasing Red," a youth-oriented romance starring Madeline Petsch and Gavin Casaligno, as part of a four-film deal between Film AlUla and the Los Angeles-based American company Stampede Ventures.