Film AlUla Bolsters Role as Movie Industry Driver as Saudi Kingdom Raises Its Film Production Rebate to 60 Percent
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- Saudi Arabia raised its film and TV production rebate from 40% to 60% at Cannes, one of the world’s highest incentives.
- Film AlUla partnered with MBS Group and the Red Sea Film Foundation to expand studio capacity, now offering two 25,000‑sq‑ft stages, a recording studio, and plans for further expansion.
- Red Sea Film Foundation offers funded projects the option to shoot in AlUla, with recent successes including “Norah” (Cannes 2024) and “Hijra” (Venice 2025).
- Stampede Ventures completed “Chasing Red,” the first Hollywood‑produced film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, filmed in AlUla in January.
- Phillip Jones emphasized a focus on training local talent for film industry jobs as part of the broader ecosystem development.
Why it matters: The 60% rebate directly boosts Saudi Arabia’s attractiveness to foreign producers, promising higher production spend and job creation for locals, while positioning AlUla as a competitive filming destination against traditional hubs.
