Saudi Arabia’s Neom Media Hub and Hakawati Entertainment have signed a deal aimed at strengthening their leadership in the global film industry. Through this collaboration, they plan to produce a total of nine films. Additionally, the partnership will create a new production service to assist in filmmaking, which will be supported by major Hollywood directors and artists with significant investments.
The goal of this collaboration is to establish Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry on the global stage, with a particular focus on promoting Saudi cinema worldwide. The partnership will also emphasize various showbiz-related training programs. By 2025, a “Hakawati Community” will be established in Neom, led by Saudi creatives. This community will work to build international connections and expand the entertainment business.
Neom, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic new city, has become a popular location for film shoots. Recently, a film titled Desert Warrior was shot in the desert of Neom, with a budget of $150 million. The action-thriller film stars Anthony Mackie, famous for his roles as Falcon and Captain America.
Several large films and TV series have also been filmed in Neom, including the Bollywood movie Dunki starring Shah Rukh Khan, and Rise of the Witches, a fantasy TV series produced by MBC Studios.
Hakawati Entertainment, founded in 2020, is a venture by Saudi entrepreneurs and film experts. The company is led by Redha Alhaider, former head of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media in Saudi Arabia, and the CEO is renowned director Osama AlKhurayji.
Hakawati has already garnered attention for producing several Saudi films and TV shows, including Ureem, Khurais, and Cut.
According to Variety, production on the first two films in Neom will begin by mid-next year. These films will benefit from Saudi Arabia’s 40%+ cash rebate program and the modern facilities in Neom.
Michael Lynch, Head of Entertainment at Neom, said, “This partnership with Hakawati is a crucial step in the development of Saudi Arabia’s media industry. It will help create a world-class media hub in the country.”
Osama AlKhurayji, CEO of Hakawati, stated, “This will help build a strong filmmaking infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, positioning the country to lead the global entertainment sector.”