NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – December 10, 2024 – NEOM Media and Hakawati Entertainment will produce up to nine feature films and establish a world-class production services division at NEOM, further accelerating the growth of Saudi Arabia’s film industry announced a strategic partnership. In a global creative environment.
Aiming to strengthen NEOM’s dynamic media ecosystem, the partnership with Hakawati Entertainment, a leading Saudi-based film, television and literature management company, will localize screen production activities across future NEOM productions. By leveraging NEOM Media’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including high-end soundstages, diverse filming locations, and extensive production support, the collaboration aims to enable high-quality content production. A pipeline of nine films has already been identified for potential filming at NEOM Media, with two films expected to enter production in the first half of 2025. Additional projects are also under consideration, strengthening NEOM’s position as a leading destination for film and content production. Kingdom.
Hakawati Entertainment establishes operational presence within NEOM’s growing media hub by establishing a best-in-class production services division designed to meet international, regional and local production needs It’s planned. The division will be supported by experienced Hollywood-level talent and significant financial investment, leveraging Hakawati’s network across the Kingdom to combine expertise from a variety of talent and suppliers. By connecting local talent with opportunities at NEOM Media, the partnership aims to streamline project execution and improve film production standards in the region, while supporting the sector’s evolution into a creative industry hub. I am.
Michael Lynch, Head of Entertainment, Culture and Media, said: NEOM Media has quickly become a prominent production destination in the region, offering state-of-the-art equipment, excellent support and a skilled workforce. This collaboration reflects the industry’s confidence in our vision and strengthens our position as a center of innovation and growth. Together, we are ready to develop significant opportunities, advance the Kingdom’s creative ambitions and establish a world-class media ecosystem. ”
Osama Al-Fraizi, CEO of Hakawati, said: “We are excited to announce our strategic partnership with NEOM, a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at accelerating the growth of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry. Film and television production is at the heart of our business. Of course, this partnership isn’t just about content production; we’re working with NEOM to create sustainable, world-class films. We are committed to building a production ecosystem that will not only support the industry’s expansion, but also contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision to become a global leader in entertainment and media. It underscores our shared dedication to fostering creativity, innovation and long-term success in the rapidly evolving regional entertainment landscape.”
The partnership will also focus on developing Saudi talent through interdisciplinary programs and workshops that provide intensive training, shadowing opportunities, and placements in local and international media markets. To support talent development, the Hakawati Community will be established at NEOM in early 2025 in collaboration with NEOM Media’s industry learning department. Additionally, the working group plans to identify and implement at least three new training programs by the end of 2025 to ensure continued opportunities for Saudi creators.
