SCENE 01 / FEATURE FILMS
Feature Film Production in Saudi Arabia
Complete feature film production services in Saudi Arabia for studio-backed and independent productions.
Here is how this works in practice. Feature film production is the flagship format of the film industry, creating long-form narrative content for theatrical and premium distribution. These shoots demand the highest standards of craft across each department, from cinematography and design to performance and post-prod, sustained over extended shooting schedules.
Here is the short of it. We give full-service production support for feature films, setting up each logistical element from pre-production through wrap. Our team manages crew assembly, gear sourcing, location logistics, and daily operations to make sure your feature film production operates 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 rebuilt Saudi production system. The 35-year cinema ban ended in 2018, and the market has grown fast since then.
The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) cash rebates is the primary financial driver. The base is 35%, plus a 5% Saudi-content uplift, for a 40% maximum on qualifying spend. It is settled through the Saudi Film Commission (Ministry of Culture) and disbursed in SAR (pegged 3.75:1 to USD).
NEOM Bajdah Studios anchors the stage infrastructure. It opened in late 2022 as the largest sound-stage tricky in MENA. The site has 9,000 m² across many stages, plus a 60-hectare backlot at the Sharma site.
Major global shoots filmed here since 2022. The list has Kandahar (Gerard Butler, MGM 2023, AlUla and NEOM backlot), Desert Warrior (Anthony Mackie, 2024, AlUla), and Apple TV+'s Cherry.
Saudi auteur cinema has emerged in parallel. Haifaa al-Mansour directed Wadjda (2012), the first Saudi feature — it screened at Venice. The Perfect Candidate (2019) competed at Venice. Mahmoud Sabbagh made Barakah Meets Barakah (Berlinale 2016). Ali Kalthami's Sattar (2022) holds the Saudi all-time box-office record. Shahad Ameen made Scales (Venice Critics' Week 2019).
Pre-production routes through the Saudi Film Commission. They handle foreign-crew accreditation and CDF rebates sign-ups. Applications open at the development stage. A Saudi local-spend audit is needed at wrap.
The festival pipeline is strong. The Red Sea Global Film Festival (RSIFF) in Jeddah was founded in 2021 by chair Mohammed Al Turki. It runs at the Ritz-Carlton and Al-Balad venues. It is the primary launch sites for Saudi and MENA features, and a key co-production market.
The Saudi Film Festival at Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture) in Dhahran has run since 2008. It anchors the auteur-circuit calendar.
Location work spans the kingdom. Sites have AlUla's Hegra, Ashar Valley, and Maraya concert hall. Other stops are Diriyah At-Turaif, Jeddah Al-Balad, Riyadh's modernist quarters, and the Empty Quarter dune fields. October-April is the climate window for desert sets. On-stage work runs year-round at NEOM Bajdah and MBC Studios Riyadh. Crews are two-tongue Arabic and English, with MSA-final dub via MBC Jeddah for pan-Arab theatrical distribution.
FAQ
Our Production Network
What is the Saudi Tax Rebate for International Production (Saudi Film Incentive)?
Here is the breakdown. Saudi Film Incentive gives a 40% tax rebates on qualifying Saudi expenditure for global shoots in Saudi Arabia. This has crew costs, gear rental, post-prod, and other eligible costs. We help shoots handle eligibility needs and application processes.
How do you support international co-productions?
We give full co-production support including treaty compliance guidance, Saudi partner introductions, crew and gear planning, location services, and administrative support. Our team knows the needs of bilateral treaties with major film-producing nations.
What crew sizes can you accommodate for feature films?
We support shoots from small indie crews of 20-30 to major studio shoots needing 150+ crew members. Our network has all key departments and we set up with Saudi unions and guilds as needed.
Can you handle period or costume productions?
Yes. Saudi Arabia gives top resources for period shoots including historical locations, costume houses, prop suppliers, and crews skilled in period filmmaking. We set up all specialty needs for costume dramas.
What locations are available for feature film production?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Saudi Arabia gives extraordinary diversity: 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 facilities for editing, grading, VFX, sound design, and mixing. Saudi post houses work to global standards and many give competitive rates boosted by tax incentives.
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.