Filming in Saudi Arabia

Why productions are shooting in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom offers landscapes that are still largely unseen in advertising and film: sandstone canyons in AlUla, the dune fields of the Empty Quarter, the Red Sea coast, and contemporary architecture in Riyadh. Access is controlled but genuine, and there is far less production competition for locations than in comparable markets.

Infrastructure has improved quickly. Riyadh and Jeddah now hold real crew depth, equipment and stage capacity, and the permitting process, while demanding, is predictable when handled by a local production company.

Permits and approvals

Every professional shoot requires a permit from the Saudi Film Commission. Heritage sites and Royal Commission areas such as AlUla and NEOM require additional approvals with their own conditions and timelines.

• Permits are location and date specific - schedule changes need re-approval
• Crew lists, passport details and equipment manifests must be accurate
• Heritage locations restrict crew numbers, vehicles and lighting
• Drone flights require separate airspace clearance

Crew, equipment and logistics

Local crew depth in Riyadh and Jeddah covers most departments, with regional heads of department brought in for specific craft. Female crew and Arabic-speaking production staff are available and are frequently essential to a shoot running smoothly.

Camera, grip and lighting packages are available locally; specialist kit typically travels under carnet with customs handled in advance.

Seasons, climate and scheduling

October to April is the comfortable window. Inland summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, which limits crew hours and affects equipment reliability. Winter mornings in AlUla and the Asir highlands are genuinely cold, so plan wardrobe and crew welfare accordingly.