The commission’s pavilion highlighted Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes suitable for filming locations.
The Saudi Film Commission participated in the American Film Market in Los Angeles from November 11 to 16, reinforcing efforts to deepen collaboration between the Saudi and US film industries. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the commission used its presence at the global gathering to highlight investment prospects, develop partnerships with international producers and distributors and promote the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding film sector.
By taking part in the AFM, the commission aims to support the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative ecosystem and position the country as a leading regional hub for film production. Its pavilion spotlighted the Kingdom’s wide-ranging landscapes suited for filming, alongside national funding initiatives and financial incentive schemes designed to attract international projects.
A delegation from the Ministry of Culture’s film commission is on the ground to strengthen ties and explore future cooperation across production, distribution, and financing.
Saudi Arabia has increasingly drawn major international projects, with several blockbusters choosing to film in the Kingdom in recent years. Desert Warrior, starring Ben Kingsley and Antony Mackie, premiered in September as a joint production involving JB Pictures, MBC Studios and ACG Studios in Los Angeles and London. Other notable global productions shot in the country include Kandahar featuring Gerard Butler and the Shah Rukh Khan-led Bollywood film Dunki, filmed partly in Neom and AlUla.
Local cinema has also seen a surge, with standout titles such as Within Sand, the first Saudi production filmed in Neom; the hit action-comedy Sattar; and the 2023 desert thriller Naga.
As one of the world’s premier markets for film financing, distribution and co-production, the American Film Market provides a significant platform for Saudi Arabia to advance its film ambitions and forge new industry alliances.
