사우디, 한국 영화·드라마 제작사에 무료 로케이션 투어 — 최대 60% 캐시 리베이트

As Saudi Arabia moves in earnest to attract foreign content production, it is also actively expanding cooperation with Korean film and drama studios. The correspondent recently visited CTRL Production Services in Riyadh in person for a meeting with its staff. Founded in 2019, CTRL is Saudi Arabia's first dedicated production-services company, offering end-to-end support for international film, drama and advertising shoots — location scouting, filming permits, local crew and equipment sourcing, and production logistics. In June 2024 it signed an official partnership with the Saudi Film Commission, designating it as an official implementing partner for running the incentive programme.

Inside the CTRL Production Services office — Source: photo by the correspondent

Saudi Arabia Deepens Cooperation with Korean Film and Drama

Major projects CTRL has supported include the large-scale historical epic Desert Warrior — co-produced by MBC Studios, AGC Studios, JB Pictures and Studio Mechanical — which was shot across NEOM and Tabuk in Saudi Arabia's north-west, with Vertical Entertainment handling international distribution. Others include Kandahar, made together with Gerard Butler's G-BASE, MBC Studios, Thunder Road Pictures and Capstone Studios; the Bollywood feature Dunkin; and Amazon MGM and F1-related productions. CTRL also supported the running of actor Johnny Depp's keynote session at the Saudi Film Confex held in Riyadh.

Representing CTRL at the meeting were general manager Mohammed Marwan, project director Abdulmajeed Al-Shammari, operations manager Rand Tghouj, and production managers Hazem Al Ali and Ahmed Zaitawi. CTRL expressed strong interest in the global competitiveness and production capabilities of Korean content, and introduced Saudi Arabia's production-support programmes and cooperation possibilities for Korean film and drama studios.

From left: operations manager Rand Tghouj, general manager Mohammed Marwan, the correspondent, and production managers Hazem Al Ali and Ahmed Zaitawi — Source: photo by the correspondent

Free Location Tours and On-the-Ground Production Support

The flagship measure the Saudi Film Commission offers foreign producers as part of its incentive programme is the free Location Tour, for which CTRL provides hands-on support as the official implementing partner. Any project with a completed screenplay and a confirmed production budget can scout Saudi filming locations in person, with flights, accommodation, local transport and meals covered. According to staff, the programme is designed so that producers can experience Saudi Arabia's filming environment before committing to shoot there; there is no penalty for deciding afterwards not to film in the country, though it is intended for projects genuinely under consideration.

Overview of Saudi Arabia's Location Tour support — Source: CTRL Production Services meeting, compiled by the correspondent

Saudi Arabia's Key Filming Locations

At the meeting, CTRL introduced Saudi Arabia's principal filming locations. AlUla is a historic region of majestic rock formations and vast desert vistas, well suited to historical epics, fantasy and adventure. Hegra (Mada'in Salih), Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves Nabataean tombs more than 2,000 years old, offering an ideal stage for historical and period productions. NEOM combines desert, mountains, coast and futuristic scenery, fitting sci-fi, action and contemporary work, while Riyadh — a capital where modern architecture meets traditional markets — boasts advanced studios and infrastructure for both urban narratives and studio-based production. The Red Sea, famed for its clear waters, coral reefs and pristine beaches, offers an outstanding setting for marine footage, resort backdrops and coastal stories.

The natural landscape of NEOM — Source: NEOM official website

Beyond location proposals, CTRL provides comprehensive on-the-ground support — studio introductions, filming permits, equipment and crew sourcing, and production logistics. Major studios and facilities it can currently connect producers to include JAX×Sony Studio, NEOM Media City, AlUla Media, Al Hassan Studio in Riyadh, and Virtual Studio.

General manager Mohammed Marwan and project director Abdulmajeed Al-Shammari explaining NEOM as a filming location — Source: photo by the correspondent

Up to 60% Cash Rebate — Local Partnership Is Key

Producers who actually shoot in Saudi Arabia can receive a range of incentives. A project that films for at least five days in the country and hires local crew for at least 40% of its workforce can apply for a cash rebate of up to 60%. There is no need to shoot the entire project in Saudi Arabia; works produced across several countries, including Korea, and co-productions are also eligible. However, because cash-rebate applications must be made through a locally registered entity, cooperation with a local production-services company such as CTRL is effectively essential for foreign producers. These companies handle not only location scouting and permits but also studio coordination, equipment and crew sourcing, and administrative procedures — serving as an all-round local partner for international producers. According to staff, there are no genre restrictions, but works that make active use of Saudi Arabia's varied natural scenery — desert, coast, mountains and modern cities — are preferred, and projects dealing with religiously or politically sensitive material require thorough consultation in advance.

Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as a Middle Eastern Production Hub

Through participation in international festivals, expanded production infrastructure and stronger filming incentives, Saudi Arabia is steadily building its standing as a global content-production hub. The support system confirmed at this meeting reads as part of a comprehensive strategy that spans location tours and on-the-ground support through studio access and routes into the Middle Eastern market. As Korean film and drama studios increasingly pursue international co-productions and overseas location shoots, Saudi Arabia is raising its potential as both a filming location and a production partner. For Korean producers open to using the local support systems and incentives, Saudi Arabia could be a noteworthy new option.