By Rafa Sales Ross

In the four years since its establishment in early 2020 by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Film AlUla has quickly established itself as one of the fastest growing film destinations in the Middle East. The film agency’s mandate is to promote and support international, regional and local film and television production, while protecting and safeguarding AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in Saudi Arabia.

Film AlUla recognizes that local talent development and growing skilled crews in Saudi Arabia are vital to their ambitions to become a global media hub. That’s why Film AlUla has partnered with initiatives like the Red Sea Lodge of the Red Sea International Film Festival. As one of the sponsors of the talent development program, AlUla has helped fund creative retreats and trips to film sets for filmmakers who attended the Lodge, where they had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on projects like Johnny Depp’s upcoming directorial effort “Modi,” which premieres in San Sebastian later this month.

But the big priority, of course, is attracting projects to film in AlUla. One of the biggest hurdles to bringing more international productions to Saudi Arabia is making the bureaucracy seem less daunting to American and European crews, who may be unfamiliar with working in the region. Newly appointed acting executive director of Film AlUla Zaid Shaker told Variety how Film AlUla can support international crews in maximizing the country’s attractive 40% tax break and navigating production regulations, customs formalities, visa applications and film permits, in addition to scouting locations and recruiting talent.