NEOM is Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious filming destination, offering futuristic cityscapes, untouched coastlines, and dramatic mountains. This guide explains what makes NEOM unique, which projects suit the region, and how filmmakers can secure permits and film smoothly with professional support.
Let’s start with a simple question:
How often do you get to film the future while it’s still being built?
That’s what NEOM offers filmmakers.
NEOM isn’t just another location on the map. It’s a vision in progress—a region designed from scratch to redefine cities, sustainability, technology, and human living. For filmmakers, that translates into visuals you simply can’t replicate anywhere else.
But NEOM is also highly controlled, carefully managed, and security-focused. Filming here is absolutely possible—but only when approached correctly. If you’re planning filming in Saudi Arabia for the first time, it helps to understand the overall process before focusing on NEOM.
This guide breaks down what makes NEOM special, what types of productions work best, and how to navigate filming approvals without slowing your project down.
Most locations give you one dominant look.
NEOM gives you many—and none of them feel familiar.
Within the NEOM region, filmmakers can access:
The result? NEOM can double as:
For productions looking to stand out visually, NEOM delivers originality by default.
Here’s where NEOM differs from most filming locations in Saudi Arabia.
NEOM is an active development zone. That means:
Filming here is not informal or spontaneous—and that’s not a drawback. It’s what keeps NEOM visually pristine and operationally efficient.
When filmmakers plan properly and apply for film permit approvals through the right channels, shoots in NEOM tend to run smoothly and on schedule.
NEOM’s most talked-about appeal lies in its architectural ambition.
These areas work perfectly for:
Because these zones are active development areas, filming access is coordinated carefully and requires prior approval.
NEOM’s coastline is remarkably untouched.
Think:
These locations are ideal for:
Few people realize how diverse NEOM’s terrain is.
Mountain backdrops and valleys provide:
These locations work beautifully for cinematic wide shots, storytelling sequences, and environmental content.
If you’re exploring alternatives beyond NEOM, here are other best filming locations in Saudi Arabia worth considering.
NEOM is not suited for every type of project—and that’s a good thing.
It works best for productions that need:
Common project types include:
Smaller, unstructured shoots may struggle here. Productions that plan carefully tend to succeed.
Drone footage is often essential in NEOM—but it’s also tightly regulated.
Aerial filming requires:
Drone flights near development zones or coastlines are assessed carefully to maintain safety and privacy. With professional guidance, drone filming is achievable—but improvisation is not an option here.
To understand how filming in NEOM works in practice, here are examples of real project types supported through professional permitting assistance.
A premium automotive brand filmed driving sequences across NEOM’s desert highways and coastal roads.
Support included:
The production achieved cinematic visuals without interrupting development activity.
An international documentary team filmed interviews and b-roll highlighting NEOM’s sustainability and smart-city initiatives.
Support included:
The crew completed filming within a tight timeline while staying fully compliant.
A tourism authority required aerial and ground footage across NEOM’s Red Sea coast.
Support included:
The campaign delivered rare visuals that positioned NEOM as a future-forward destination.
NEOM is not a place where trial and error works. This is where local expertise matters most.
Saudi Film Permit supports NEOM productions by:
Instead of navigating unfamiliar systems, filmmakers work with a single, experienced point of contact.
If there’s one thing filmmakers should understand about NEOM, it’s this:
Planning early is not optional.
Successful productions:
With the right support, the permitting process becomes structured and predictable—rather than uncertain.
Saudi Film Permit ensures your project aligns with NEOM’s requirements without slowing down creativity.
NEOM is not just a filming location—it’s a statement.
Filming here signals ambition, scale, and forward-thinking vision. It’s not designed for casual shoots, but for productions that want to create something visually distinctive and globally relevant.
For filmmakers willing to plan carefully and work within a structured framework, NEOM offers access to one of the most unique filming environments in the world.
If you’re planning a project in NEOM and need support with permits, access coordination, or location planning, Saudi Film Permit provides expert guidance to help your production move forward smoothly and confidently.
Yes. All professional filming in NEOM requires official approval due to its controlled development status. Read this Article
Yes. International crews regularly film in NEOM with proper permitting and local support.
Drone filming is permitted only with specific approvals and within designated flight zones. read more: drone permits for aerial filming
Large-scale commercials, technology films, documentaries, and high-end brand campaigns are best suited for NEOM.
Early planning is strongly recommended, especially for drone use and access to development zones. Read the full article here: How long does it take to get a film permit
