Saudi Arabia’s Neom Media hub and Hakawati Entertainment have announced a groundbreaking partnership poised to elevate the Kingdom’s position in the global film and media industry. This collaboration aims to produce up to nine feature films while establishing a state-of-the-art production services unit, leveraging Hollywood-level talent and significant financial investments. Together, these efforts promise to set new standards for filmmaking in the region.
Neom: A Visionary Hub for Global Productions
Neom, the site of Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city on the Red Sea coast, has already proven its potential as a premier production destination. Its unique combination of diverse landscapes—heritage sites, mountains, coral reefs, and cooler temperatures—has attracted high-profile international projects, including the $150 million epic Desert Warrior, starring Anthony Mackie. The region has also hosted Bollywood blockbuster Dunki and the fantasy series Rise of the Witches, the most ambitious TV project ever made in the region.
With this new partnership, Neom is set to further cement its status as a media hub, providing cutting-edge infrastructure, including sound stages, and access to Saudi Arabia’s generous 40%+ cash rebate production incentive.
Hakawati Entertainment: Driving Local Talent and Storytelling
Founded in 2020 by Saudi entrepreneurs and industry veterans, Hakawati Entertainment is a key player in the region’s creative sector. The company, led by chairman Redha Alhaider, CEO Osama Al Khurayji, and COO Sarah Bin Obaid, has already produced several notable Saudi projects, including Ureem, Khurais, and Cut. With this partnership, Hakawati is expanding its footprint to support both local and international productions at Neom.
As part of the deal, Hakawati will establish a “best-in-class” production services unit at Neom, designed to meet the needs of productions of all scales. This unit will streamline workflows, tackle bureaucratic challenges, and provide Hollywood-level expertise, creating a seamless experience for filmmakers.
Empowering Saudi Talent and Building a Sustainable Ecosystem
A cornerstone of this collaboration is its commitment to fostering Saudi creative talent. Programs and workshops will be launched to provide intensive training for local crews and filmmakers. Additionally, a Hakawati community will be established at Neom by early 2025, supported by the Media Industry Learning Department, to nurture the next generation of Saudi talent.
The partnership will also implement at least three new training programs by the end of 2025, ensuring ongoing opportunities for Saudi creatives to thrive in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
A Shared Vision for the Future
“This partnership with Hakawati marks an important milestone in our shared commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s media industry,” said Michael Lynch, head of entertainment, culture, and media at Neom. “Together, we are poised to unlock significant opportunities, drive the Kingdom’s creative ambitions forward, and establish a world-class media ecosystem.”
Hakawati CEO Osama Al Khurayji echoed this sentiment: “This partnership goes beyond content creation. Together with Neom, we are committed to building a sustainable, world-class filmmaking ecosystem that will not only support our industry’s expansion but also contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision of becoming a global leader in entertainment and media.”
A New Era for Saudi Media
With production on the first two feature films set to begin in early 2025, the Neom-Hakawati partnership signals a bold new chapter for Saudi Arabia’s media industry. By combining world-class infrastructure, a commitment to talent development, and an ambitious vision, this collaboration is poised to transform the Kingdom into a global entertainment powerhouse.
