NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – December 10, 2024 – NEOM Media and Hakawati Entertainment announced a strategic partnership to produce up to nine feature films and create a world-class production services division within NEOM, accelerating the growth of the Saudi film industry in the global creative landscape .
Aimed at enhancing NEOM’s vibrant media ecosystem, the partnership with Hakawati Entertainment, a leading Saudi film, television and literature management company, will localize screen production activities in NEOM’s future productions. Utilizing NEOM Media’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including premium soundstages, diverse filming locations and extensive production support, the collaboration aims to enable the creation of high-quality content. A pipeline of nine productions has already been identified for potential filming at NEOM Media, with two feature films expected to enter production in the first half of 2025. Further projects are under consideration, strengthening NEOM’s position as a leading destination for film and content creation in the Kingdom.
Hakawati Entertainment plans to establish an operational presence within NEOM’s growing media hub by creating a premier production services division designed to meet the needs of international, regional and local productions. The division, backed by experienced Hollywood-level talent and significant financial investment, will combine the expertise of diverse talents and suppliers, leveraging Hakawati’s network across the Kingdom. By connecting local talent with NEOM Media opportunities, the partnership aims to support the sector’s evolution into a creative industries hub, while streamlining project delivery and raising the region’s film standards.
Michael Lynch, Head of Entertainment, Culture and Mediasaid: “This partnership with Hakawati marks an important milestone in our shared commitment to advancing the media industry in Saudi Arabia. NEOM Media has quickly become a leading production destination in the region, offering state-of-the-art facilities, exceptional support and a skilled workforce. This collaboration strengthens our position as a center for innovation and growth, reflecting the industry’s confidence in our vision. Together, we are ready to unlock significant opportunities, advance the Kingdom’s creative ambitions and establish a world-class media ecosystem.
Osama Al Khurayji, general manager of Hakawati, said: “We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with NEOM, a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at accelerating the growth of the entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia. While film and television production remains at the heart of our business, this partnership goes beyond content creation. Together with NEOM, we are committed to building a world-class sustainable cinema ecosystem that will not only support the expansion of our industry, but also contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision of becoming a global leader in entertainment and media . This partnership underscores our shared commitment to fostering creativity, innovation and long-term success in the region’s rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
The partnership will also focus on developing Saudi talent through multidisciplinary programs and workshops providing intensive training, shadowing opportunities and internships for local and international media markets. A Hakawati community will be established at NEOM in early 2025, in collaboration with NEOM Media’s industrial learning department, to support talent development. Additionally, a task force will identify and implement at least three new training programs by the end of 2025, ensuring continued opportunities for Saudi creatives.