The Saudi Film Commission recently participated in the American Film Market (AFM) held in Los Angeles from November 11 to 16, showcasing its commitment to enhancing collaboration between the Saudi and US film sectors. The commission took this opportunity to promote investment opportunities, cultivate partnerships with international producers and distributors, and highlight the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s film industry.
Through its involvement in AFM, the commission aims to bolster the development of Saudi Arabia’s creative ecosystem and establish the country as a prominent regional centre for film production. The pavilion set up by the commission emphasised the diverse landscapes of the Kingdom, ideal for filming, as well as national funding programs and financial incentives designed to attract international productions.
A delegation from the Ministry of Culture’s film commission was present to foster relationships and explore future collaborations in production, distribution, and financing.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has become a sought-after destination for significant international film projects. Notable examples include “Desert Warrior,” which premiered in September and featured stars like Ben Kingsley and Antony Mackie, produced in collaboration with JB Pictures, MBC Studios, and ACG Studios in Los Angeles and London. Additional global productions filmed in the Kingdom include “Kandahar,” starring Gerard Butler, and the Bollywood movie “Dunki,” featuring Shah Rukh Khan, which was partially shot in Neom and AlUla.
On the local front, Saudi cinema has flourished, with acclaimed films such as “Within Sand,” the first production filmed in Neom; the popular action-comedy “Sattar”; and the 2023 desert thriller “Naga.”
The American Film Market stands as one of the foremost venues for film financing, distribution, and co-production, providing Saudi Arabia with a vital platform to pursue its cinematic aspirations and build new industry partnerships.
