The two movies will be among the first to be filmed in 2024 at Film AlUla’s full-service state-of-the-art production facility.
Film AlUla and the global media company Stampede Ventures, led by CEO Greg Silverman, have announced a three-year, 10-project deal. The collaboration will commence with the production of two films, Fourth Wall and Chasing Red, both scheduled for filming in AlUla during Q2 2024.
Fourth Wall, a thriller produced by Silverman and Jon Berg, explores the story of a former child star kidnapped and awakened on a meticulously recreated set of a popular TV sitcom. The film delves into her journey as she confronts trauma, reenacts iconic show moments, and strives to escape.
On the other hand, Chasing Red, a romantic tale based on Isabelle Ronin’s novel, follows the unexpected connection between straight-A student Veronica and wealthy playboy Caleb. The film is being directed by Jessika Borsiczky and Silverman will serve as producer with Jon Berg, while Gideon Yu, Chris Bosco, Mike Tadross and Grant Torre will be credited as Executive Producers.
Scouting locations amid the landscapes of AlUla County in northwest Saudi Arabia, officials from Film AlUla and Stampede confirmed the selection of AlUla as the backdrop for both productions.
The announcement was made at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, where Film AlUla serves as a strategic partner. The partnership between Film AlUla and Stampede, finalised at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 24, will play a significant role in growing AlUla from a regional creative hub to a platform for global filmmaking talent. The partnership, which includes Film AlUla providing rebates and incentives, is closely aligned to realization of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to foster cultural development.
These cinematic ventures mark the inaugural productions at Film AlUla’s state-of-the-art production facility, featuring a 30,000 sqft soundstage, backlot, and various support structures. The facility is set to play a pivotal role in fostering AlUla’s transformation from a regional creative hub into a global platform for filmmaking talent.
Charlene Deleon-Jones, Executive Director, Film AlUla, said: “These two productions will create economic and creative opportunities for the people of AlUla. Film AlUla is committed to diversifying the economy and nurturing home-grown talent in collaboration with valued partners such as Stampede Ventures. This opportunity will generate a wide array of training and employment prospects for local residents by introducing experts to oversee mentoring programmes.”
Greg Silverman, Chief Executive Officer, Stampede Studios, added: “Stampede’s mission to connect people through their favorite stories is moved forward dramatically by the commitment to Film Alula, connecting the audiences who will see these films, while also connecting the established filmmakers from all over the world who will be collaborating with the burgeoning filmmakers in The Kingdom. We are very grateful for the opportunity.”
Silverman is an entertainment industry veteran known for his track record at Warner Bros. where he shepherded over 125 films to more than $38bn in the worldwide box office, most notably the Harry Potter series, Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Zack Snyder’s 300, Todd Phillips’ iconic Hangover trilogy, and Joker.
Film AlUla has been a key player in Saudi Arabia’s film industry development since 2020. Hosting more than 700 days of filming, including high-profile projects such as Kandahar and Cherry, the agency has positioned AlUla as an attractive destination for international productions. Notable TV series and documentaries, along with homegrown projects like Norah, have further solidified AlUla’s standing in the global filmmaking landscape.
