Film production in Saudi Arabia

Production in Saudi Arabia is coordinated through the Saudi Film Commission and, for many locations, additional regional authorities. Lead times are workable but unforgiving: applications, crew lists and equipment manifests need to be accurate and submitted early. Riyadh and Jeddah carry the deepest infrastructure, while AlUla, NEOM and the Red Sea coast offer landscapes with very little production competition.

• AlUla - sandstone canyons, Hegra and desert plateau
• The Empty Quarter - dune landscapes at extreme scale
• Red Sea coast and islands
• Riyadh - contemporary architecture, Diriyah heritage district
• Jeddah - Al-Balad old town and Red Sea corniche
• Asir mountains - green highlands and stone villages

A growing local crew base in Riyadh and Jeddah covers most departments, supplemented by regional heads of department from the wider Gulf and Europe where a project needs specific craft. Female crew and Arabic-speaking production staff are available and frequently essential.

Full camera, grip and lighting packages are available in Riyadh and Jeddah, including large-format digital and stabilised vehicle systems. Specialist packages are usually brought in from the region under carnet with customs handling arranged in advance.

All filming requires approval from the Saudi Film Commission, with additional permissions for heritage sites, royal commission areas such as AlUla and NEOM, airports, and government buildings. Allow several weeks for standard commercial permits and longer for heritage or restricted locations. Permits are location and date specific - schedule changes need re-approval.

Most crew nationalities can enter on an eVisa or business visa, but working crew normally require the correct work-purpose documentation supported by the local production company. Passport details, roles and equipment lists are submitted as part of the permit process.

Drone filming is permitted but tightly controlled. Operators must be licensed locally, aircraft must be registered, and separate airspace clearance is required for each flight location. Plan for a longer approval window than the main film permit.

The Saudi Film Commission operates a cash rebate on qualifying local spend for eligible productions, with additional support available for projects filming in specific regions. Eligibility is assessed case by case and applications must be filed before production begins.

Crew and equipment rates are broadly comparable with the Gulf average and above European service markets, while location access, scale and support can be exceptional. Budget realistically for travel, accommodation in remote regions, permit lead time and local liaison.

The most comfortable shooting window runs from October to April. Summer daytime temperatures inland regularly exceed 45°C, which restricts crew hours and affects equipment. Winter mornings in AlUla and the Asir highlands can be cold.