RIYADH: ’s Film Commission is taking part in this year’s American Film Market in Los Angeles from Nov. 11 to 16 to strengthen collaboration between the two countries’ industries.
At the AFM, the commission aims to showcase investment opportunities, foster partnerships with global producers and distributors and promote the growth of the Kingdom’s film industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
These efforts underscore its commitment to empower the national film sector and position the Kingdom as a regional hub for creative production.
The commission’s pavilion is highlighting ’s diverse landscapes suitable for filming locations. It is also publicizing national film funding and financial incentive programs.
A delegation from the commission, part of the Ministry of Culture, is attending to build relationships and further collaboration in production, distribution and financing.
A number of blockbusters have been filmed in in recent years as the Kingdom ramps up efforts to develop the industry.
The film, “Desert Warrior,” starring Ben Kingsley and Antony Mackie, premiered in September.
It was a joint production between British producer Jeremy Bolt’s JB Pictures, the Kingdom’s MBC Studios and ACG Studios, jointly headquartered in Los Angeles and London.
Other major productions in the Kingdom recently include “Kandahar” starring Gerald Butler, and the Shah Rukh Khan Bollywood comedy “Dunki,” which was shot partly in Neom and AlUla.
Notable Saudi films from recent years include “Within Sand,” the first local production in Neom; action-comedy “Sattar” of a man dreaming to become a professional wrestler; and “Naga,” the 2023 thriller about a woman stranded in the desert after a date gone wrong.
The AFM is one of the world’s leading film markets, specializing in financing, distribution, and co-production.
