Saudi Arabia announced the opening of AlHisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh, a facility aimed at boosting the television and film production industry across the Middle East. Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh inaugurated the facility.
AlHisn Big Time Studios project spans 300,000 sq. metres and includes a production village with metalworking and carpentry workshops and costume design facilities. It also features seven studio buildings covering an area of 10,500 sq. metres. Additional amenities include luxurious suites for VIPs, offices for film production, fully equipped editing rooms, and a dedicated building for pre-production work. The facility has many Saudi companies collaborating on-site, from camera manufacturers to actors, all working together to bring creative visions to life. There’s also a museum featuring vintage cameras alongside films shot with them.
Speaking at the inauguration, Al-Sheikh said: “AlHisn Big Time Studios will become a stronghold for producing Arab and international content, particularly Saudi productions. We constructed these state-of-the-art facilities in four months, showcasing our commitment to rapid development.” He further emphasised the importance of local content consumption: “Approximately 65% of the content consumed in the region is from Saudi Arabia.”
Al-Sheikh also highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, mentioning that productions will take place at various locations, including Diriyah Jax, Sony Studios, AlUla, and MBC Studios in Al-Nargis.
“This integration will not only reduce costs and save time but also provide access to cutting-edge global technologies,” Al-Sheikh said, highlighting the studio’s potential to enhance competitiveness in the international market.