Tax Incentives & Grants - Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a significant player in the global film industry, offering a range of financial incentives and support programs to attract both local and international filmmakers.

Saudi Arabia's strategic initiatives and substantial financial incentives underscore its commitment to developing a vibrant and competitive film industry, attracting filmmakers worldwide to explore the Kingdom's unique landscapes and cultural narratives.

Here's an overview of the key initiatives:

    • Cash Rebate: Up to 40% cash rebate on qualified production expenditures in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the world's most competitive incentive packages.

      • Eligible Productions: Feature films, documentaries, animations, and television series.

      • Minimum Qualifying Expenditure:

        • Fiction Feature Films: $200,000 per project.

        • Documentaries: $50,000 per project.

        • Animation: $50,000 per project.

      • Minimum Production Days: A minimum of 5 production days in Saudi Arabia is required to qualify.

      • Additional Support:

        • Assistance with obtaining licenses and approvals.

        • Access to a variety of unique shooting locations.

        • A database of professional service providers.

      • Application Requirements:

        • Collaboration with a production company registered and licensed in Saudi Arabia, or a co-production agreement with such a company.

        • Secured budget/financing for the project.

        • Completion of the incentive program application process and approvals.

    • Overview: Launched in early 2024, the Saudi Film Fund is a private equity fund with a total capital of $100 million, aimed at spurring investment in the film industry and providing financing for film production, distribution projects, and infrastructure development.

    • Investment Structure: The fund is managed by MEFIC Capital, with 40% of its capital invested by the Cultural Development Fund, highlighting the attractive investment landscape in the Kingdom's film sector.

    • Objectives:

      • Promote high-quality local production.

      • Facilitate collaboration with leading international studios.

      • Create content that highlights Saudi culture and values.

    This initiative is part of the Film Sector Financing Program under the IGNITE initiative, launched by the Cultural Development Fund to increase digital content in the Kingdom.

    • Financial Incentives: Film AlUla offers support with financial incentives to assist in the development and production of international and local feature films, television series, and documentaries shot in AlUla.

    • Integration with National Incentives: The 40% cash rebate program "Film Saudi," launched by the Saudi Film Commission, is fully functional and open for applications, providing additional support for productions in the AlUla region.

    • Industry Growth: Since lifting a 35-year cinema ban in 2018, Saudi Arabia has made significant efforts to attract international filmmakers by constructing state-of-the-art studio facilities and offering lucrative financial incentives.

    • Red Sea International Film Festival: The Kingdom hosts the annual Red Sea International Film Festival, showcasing its commitment to becoming a global hub for film production and cinema.