What kind of story are you trying to tell? Picture it for a moment.
A hero crossing a sea of gold and shadow as the sun sets behind a line of towering dunes.
A character walking through a stone-carved ancient city where every surface holds a thousand years of history.
A modern skyline glowing at night while music pulses below glass towers.
A quiet love scene on a beach where the water is so clear it reflects the sky.
You can film all of these scenes in one country. That is what makes filming in Saudi Arabia special.
Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to filmmakers from everywhere. Through Vision 2030, the Kingdom is developing film studios, training local crews, restoring heritage areas, improving infrastructure, and most importantly, simplifying the process to apply for a film permit. Whether you are a feature film director, documentary team, advertising agency, streaming service or music video producer, filming in Saudi Arabia is now smooth and well supported.
This guide will take you through the Saudi film permit process, key advantages of shooting here, the top ten filming locations, seasonal tips, production advice, and how to start your project with on-ground support from Saudifilmpermit.com.
Understanding Film Permits in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, a film permit is the official approval required to conduct filming in public areas, heritage zones, cultural locations, deserts, urban environments, coastal regions, and government-managed sites. This authorization makes sure that production activities respect local culture, protect historically significant locations, and avoid disruption to public spaces or community routines.
A Saudi film permit gives legal approval to film in public spaces, cultural areas, deserts, heritage sites, urban zones, ctoastal areas, government-regulated districts, and special environments such as archaeological sites. It ensures filming respects culture, protects heritage, prevents disruption to public spaces, and coordinates with local authorities.
Why permits are necessary
Filming is not just placing a camera somewhere. It involves movement, crew, equipment, and interaction with locations. A permit ensures everything is properly coordinated so your shoot runs without interruption.
Saudi film permit requirements
Production teams generally submit:
- Shooting dates and schedule
- Crew list and identification copies
- Equipment list
- Requested filming locations
- Drone request if applicable
These documents confirm the project’s intent and help authorities guide appropriate location access.
How long do approvals usually take
• Standard city or desert filming takes about one week
• Filming in heritage areas such as Hegra or Al Balad may take up to two weeks
• Drone filming requires advanced coordination
The timeline is predictable when you use a professional local coordinator such as Saudi Film Permit. They communicate directly with the Saudi Film Commission and local municipalities, ensuring everything is correct and processed without delays. This is the smooth and professional way to apply for a film permit.
Benefits of Filming in Saudi Arabia
Visual variety, unlike any other country
Saudi Arabia contains:
- Deserts that seem endless
- Volcanic black rock valleys
- Mist-covered green mountain forests
- Tropical coral islands
- Ancient carved stone cities
- Modern skylines and wide highways
- This means your entire film can shift tone and environment without leaving the country.
Authentic heritage
Nothing here feels artificial. Ancient doors, sandstone tombs, hand-carved steps, traditional markets, all preserved with real cultural depth.
Reliable crew and production support
Saudi Arabia has rapidly growing film crews, equipment rental houses, media offices, and location management services. SaudiFilmPermit.com coordinates reliable crew, drivers, translators, fixers, and rental equipment.
Safe and stable filming environment
The country is secure and organized, and infrastructure is strong. Transportation, hotels, rest zones, hospitals, and communications make large film crews easy to support.
Top 10 Filming Locations in Saudi Arabia
1. NEOM
NEOM feels like the future being built in real time. Wide empty spaces meet dramatic cliffs and teal waters. Architectural projects such as The Line and Trojena provide a visual identity unlike anywhere else.
Ideal For
- Futuristic storytelling
- Luxury cinematic visuals
- Car commercials
- Adventure and scale scenes
2. Al Ula
Al Ula is where history sits quietly inside stone. The light here is soft and golden, especially in early morning and late afternoon. Rock formations rise like ancient monuments and open valleys create room for breathtaking wide angles.
Ideal For
- Historical films
- Cultural documentaries
- Epic desert visuals
- Character driven emotional storytelling
3. Riyadh
Riyadh is where tradition and modern progress meet. The skyline includes glass towers and modern architecture, but only minutes away are date markets, cultural museums, wide desert outskirts, and Wadi Hanifa for natural green landscapes. If you are creating films in Riyadh, you will find visual versatility at every turn.
Riyadh film locations include-
- Kingdom Tower skyline
- King Abdullah Financial District
- Diriyah heritage district
- Wadi Hanifa oasis valley
Ideal For
- Commercials
- Corporate films
- Music videos
- Lifestyle filmmaking
4. Jeddah
Jeddah is full of character. The Red Sea coastline gives cinematic ocean views and modern promenades. Al Balad old town has coral stone buildings, carved wooden balconies and alleyways filled with texture and story.
Ideal For
- Travel films
- Cultural storytelling
- Fashion films
- Food and lifestyle features
5. Tabuk
In winter, the mountains of Tabuk are covered in snow. Not frost. Actual snow. The landscape feels cinematic and unexpected. Many filmmakers do not even know this exists in Saudi Arabia.
Ideal For
- Adventure content
- Exploration stories
- Nature documentaries
- Survival narratives
6. Abha
Abha sits in the Aseer mountains, where clouds rest at ground level. When sunlight breaks through mist, the visuals feel dreamlike. The weather is cooler, and greenery can be found throughout the valley.
Ideal For
- Romantic scenes
- Reflective emotional storytelling
- Slow cinematic pacing
- Character journeys
7. The Empty Quarter
This is the largest continuous sand desert on Earth. The dunes are enormous and always changing shape. Silence becomes part of the scene. Drones excel here.
Ideal For
- Epic dramas
- Hero journeys
- Car commercials
- Spiritual or existential visual storytelling
8. Umluj
Umluj is the tropical side of Saudi Arabia. Clear water. Calm beaches. Coral islands where the horizon blends into the sky.
Ideal For
- Tourism campaigns
- Romance films
- Music videos
- Luxury travel content
- Underwater filming
9. Madain Saleh also known as Hegra
Madain Saleh is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stone tombs carved into cliffs create an ancient and powerful cinematic backdrop.
Madain Saleh permits require cultural and archaeological supervision, but with Saudi Film Permit the process is transparent and efficient.
Ideal For
- Historical films
- Cultural documentaries
- Period storytelling
- Epic wide compositions
10. Diriyah
Diriyah is the birthplace of the Kingdom. Clay architecture, narrow streets, and palm filled courtyards create a calm and warm visual language.
Ideal For
- Heritage storytelling
- Documentaries
- Period films
- Cultural narrative work
How to Apply for a Film Permit in Saudi Arabia
Simple Step Process
- Contact us at Saudifilmpermit.com
- Share your filming concept and schedule
- Submit required crew and equipment documents
- Confirm chosen filming locations
- Receive permit approval and start production planning
Best Time of Year to Film
Most filmmakers choose October through April for comfortable temperatures.
Mountain regions such as Abha stay cool most of the year.
Umluj and coastal regions are beautiful year round, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Why Saudi Film Permit Makes Production Easy
Because filming in a new country requires someone who understands both the creative side and the administrative side. Saudi Film Permit is your ground partner. They secure permits, scout locations, manage logistics, provide crew, arrange accommodation, coordinate transport, and handle unexpected adjustments quickly.
You focus on directing. We handle the implementation.
Final Tips for a Smooth Shoot
- Carry permit documents on location
- Plan hydration breaks for desert scenes
- Use local drivers for mountain and desert navigation
- Request drone approval early
- Scout sunrise and sunset times for best light
Wrapping Up
Saudi Arabia is not only scenic. It is cinematic. The landscapes look untouched. The cities feel energetic. The history feels meaningful. Filmmakers are coming here because the frames look new. This is a place where stories can breathe.
If you are ready to film in Saudi Arabia, begin by securing your permit through a trusted local partner.
Visit Saudifilmpermit.com. To apply for a film permit and receive full production support.
Your story has a place here. Your vision is welcome. The locations are waiting.