SCENE 01 / FEATURE FILMS
Feature Film Production in Saudi Arabia
Complete feature film production services in Saudi Arabia for studio-backed and independent productions.
Feature film production is the flagship format of the film world. It makes long-form stories for theaters and premium release. These shoots demand the best craft in each department. That spans camera work and design through acting and post-prod. The work runs across long shooting schedules.
We give full-service production support for feature films. We set up each logistical part from pre-production through wrap. Our team handles crew assembly, gear sourcing, and location logistics. We also run daily operations. This keeps your feature film at the pro standard the format demands.
Capabilities
Production for Every Scale
We support feature film productions of all scales—from intimate independent films to major studio productions and international co-productions shooting across Saudi Arabia.
01
Studio Productions
- Major studio partnerships
- Large-scale crew coordination
- Complex logistics management
- International co-production support
- Full service line production
Scale & Expertise
02
Independent Films
- Budget-conscious production
- Creative flexibility
- Indie film expertise
- Festival circuit knowledge
- Emerging talent support
Creative Freedom
03
International Co-Productions
- Treaty co-production expertise
- Multi-country coordination
- Tax incentive navigation
- Cross-border logistics
- Experienced crew provision
Global Reach
04
Streaming Features
- Platform-specific requirements
- High-volume delivery standards
- Quick turnaround capability
- Technical specifications
- Quality control protocols
Digital Delivery
On Location
Feature production at NEOM Bajdah Studios (9,000 m², largest MENA sound-stage complex), AlUla and the Red Sea International Film Festival hub — under the Saudi Film Commission and the Cultural Development Fund 40% cash rebate.
We line-produce feature films inside the Saudi production system. That system was rebuilt from the ground up since the 35-year cinema ban ended in 2018. The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) cash rebates are the main financial driver. The rate is a 35% base plus a 5% Saudi-content uplift to 40% on qualifying spend. It settles through the Saudi Film Commission (Ministry of Culture) and pays out in SAR (3.75:1 to USD). NEOM Bajdah Studios anchors the stage setup. It opened in late 2022 as the largest sound-stage complex in MENA. It holds 9,000 m² across many stages plus a 60-hectare backlot at the Sharma site. Major global shoots filmed since 2022 include Kandahar (Gerard Butler, MGM 2023, AlUla and NEOM backlot), Desert Warrior (Anthony Mackie, 2024, AlUla), and Apple TV+'s Cherry. Saudi auteur cinema is led by Haifaa al-Mansour (Wadjda 2012 — the first Saudi feature, screened at Venice. The Perfect Candidate 2019, competition Venice 2019), Mahmoud Sabbagh (Barakah Meets Barakah, Berlinale 2016), Ali Kalthami (Sattar 2022. Saudi all-time box-office record, Telfaz11 Studios), and Shahad Ameen (Scales, Venice Critics' Week 2019).
Pre-production routes through the Saudi Film Commission. That covers foreign-crew accreditation and CDF rebates sign-ups. Applications open at the development stage, with a Saudi local-spend audit at wrap. The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in Jeddah was founded 2021 by chair Mohammed Al Turki. It runs at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh and venues across Al-Balad. It is the main launch platform for Saudi and MENA features and has become a key co-production market. The Saudi Film Festival at Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Dhahran) has run since 2008. It anchors the auteur-circuit calendar. Location work spans AlUla's Hegra, Ashar Valley and Maraya concert hall, Diriyah At-Turaif, Jeddah Al-Balad, Riyadh's modernist quarters and the Empty Quarter dune fields. The October–April climate window suits all desert exterior. On-stage work runs year-round at NEOM Bajdah and MBC Studios Riyadh. Crews speak both Arabic and English. MSA-final dub via MBC Jeddah serves pan-Arab theatrical distribution.
FAQ
Our Production Network
What is the Saudi Tax Rebate for International Production (Saudi Film Incentive)?
Saudi Film Incentive gives a 40% tax rebates on qualifying Saudi spend. It applies to global shoots in Saudi Arabia. This covers crew costs, gear rental, post-prod, and other eligible costs. We help shoots handle the rules and the application steps.
How do you support international co-productions?
We give full co-production support. This covers treaty compliance guidance and Saudi partner introductions. We plan crew and gear, run location services, and handle admin support. Our team knows the rules of bilateral treaties with major film-producing nations.
What crew sizes can you accommodate for feature films?
We support shoots of all sizes. That ranges from small indie crews of 20-30 to major studio shoots that need 150+ crew members. Our network has all key departments. We work with Saudi unions and guilds as needed.
Can you handle period or costume productions?
Yes. Saudi Arabia gives top resources for period shoots. These include historical locations, costume houses, prop suppliers, and crews skilled in period filmmaking. We set up all special needs for costume dramas.
What locations are available for feature film production?
Saudi Arabia gives rich variety. You can shoot Riyadhian streetscapes, Empty Quarter desert palaces, Asir Region countryside, Mountain mountains, Red Sea coast, Eastern Province beaches, and industrial settings. We scout and secure locations across all 13 metropolitan regions.
Do you provide post-production services for feature films?
We connect shoots with Saudi Arabia's top post-prod sites. They cover editing, grading, VFX, sound design, and mixing. Saudi post houses work to global standards. Many give low rates that tax incentives boost further.
Related Services
Productions in Saudi Arabia that need this often pair it with Drama Series Production, Narrative Films & Web Series, and Documentary & Docuseries Production for full coverage. Most projects also draw on TV & Film Production Services and Educational & Explainer Video Production.
On Set
Ready to Produce Your Feature Film?
Tell us about your project and we'll provide a comprehensive production plan for filming in Saudi Arabia.