NEOM Media Industries Organization and Hakawati Entertainment are planning to produce nine films, marking a significant step in the development of Saudi Arabia’s media and entertainment sector.
Film production
The pipeline of nine productions is currently under review for potential filming at NEOM Media, with two feature films scheduled to enter production in the first half of 2025, NEOM said in a statement released Tuesday. Additional potential projects have already been lined up.
The partnership will focus on developing Saudi talent through multidisciplinary programs and workshops that provide intensive training, shadowing opportunities and job placements for the local and international media markets.
To support talent development, a Hakawati community will be established at NEOM in early 2025, in collaboration with NEOM Media’s Industry Learning Department. Additionally, a working group will identify and implement at least three new training programs by the end of 2025 to ensure ongoing opportunities for Saudi creatives.
“Together with NEOM, we are committed to building a sustainable, world-class filmmaking ecosystem that will not only support our industry’s expansion but also contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision of becoming a global leader in entertainment and media,” said Osama Al Khurayji, Hakawati CEO.
Michael Lynch, sector head of Entertainment, Culture, and Media at NEOM, said the partnership with Hakawati marks an important milestone in their shared efforts to help in Saudi’s vision to reduce dependence on oil revenues by fostering creative industries.
Key background
In September 2022, NEOM announced the formal operational opening of NEOM Media Village and Bajdah Desert Studios, which, together comprise the country’s largest sound stages and film production support facilities.
To attract the global TV and film industry to Saudi Arabia, NEOM also formally announced its 40% plus cash rebate production incentive scheme for feature films, TV (drama, reality, documentaries) and commercials, with producers able to secure a higher percentage based on their industry development contributions.
Beyond oil
In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s non-oil activity accounted for 50% of its real gross domestic product (GDP), the highest level recorded, according to an analysis by the Ministry of Economy and Planning of a data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). GASTAT data also showed that in the second quarter of 2024, the non-oil activity increased by 4.9% year-on-year.
GASTAT’s data demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s accomplishment in diversifying its economy beyond oil. In 2016, the government launched the Saudi Vision 2030, a reform program to bolster the country’s fiscal position and transition its economy away from fossil fuels.
