Venice, Italy–There is high coordination between Saudi Arabian government agencies and the private sector to build all parts of the value chain related to the film industry, said Abdul-Jalil Al-Nasser, Director General of Sector Development and Investment Attraction at the Film Commission.
Along with other officials of the Commission, Al-Nasser participated in a discussion seminar on the future of the film industry in the kingdom and its regional and international impact at a program organized by the Venice Bridge Productions at the Venice Film Festival in Italy.
Executive Director of Al-Ula Film Charlene Dillion Jones, the Managing Director of the Red Sea International Film Festival Shivani Pandya, and the Managing Director of Media, Entertainment and Culture at NEOM Wayne Burg also attended the seminar.
The seminar focused on the commission’s cash rebate program, Film Saudi, which was announced last May and is now functional and open for applications via a dedicated platform for film productions.
Under the program, productions that recruit Saudi crew and talent above and below the line, feature the kingdom’s culture, history and people along with showcasing the diverse selection of landscapes in Saudi Arabia are eligible for incentives of up to 40 percent. The program is aimed at attracting international productions and stimulate local production in the kingdom.
The incentives program is part of a package of the kingdom’s offerings in the film industry, from filming locations, logistical support and technical cadres.