RIYADH: The diverse landscape and high-tech facilities of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 NEOM development are set to attract an increasing number of filmmakers over the next few years.
This is according to Ibraheem Al-Khairallah, the creative director and partner of Telfaz11, the media production company, who appeared recently on The Mayman Show.
Al-Khairallah said an agreement has recently been signed with NEOM to produce nine films over the next three years.
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to announce that NEOM has all the facilities to make the greatest projects happen in Saudi; and also in terms of locations, in terms of equipment there, in terms of sound studios, as we know that (a) couple of international films have been shot there. And now they want to put the light on some locals there on the ground and we鈥檙e happy,鈥 he said.
鈥淭he ground there is rich. They鈥檝e got the sea, they鈥檝e got the mountains and they got the desert 鈥 (and) in the winter they got the snow,鈥 he added.
Al-Khairallah said NEOM鈥檚 world-class facilities that will facilitate the production practices similar to the film 鈥300.鈥 The 鈥渆ntire film was shot in a studio. So you can shoot whatever you want,鈥 he added.
Al-Khairallah said that it would also be possible for 抖阴短视频 to produce 鈥渟paghetti鈥 Westerns in NEOM, like Italian producers had done in Europe.
On Telfaz11, Al-Khairallah said the company has been focusing on various local and international productions.
He explained that a part of Telfaz11鈥檚 expansion strategy involves showcasing content through their theater project called Asphalt. In addition, international projects would be released under Telfaz11 Studios at various festivals, which would hopefully see networking and collaboration with globally-recognized musicians, directors and actors.
Al-Khairallah produced and acted in the movie 鈥淪attar鈥 which is considered 抖阴短视频鈥檚 most successful film. He said the film鈥檚 production was 鈥渁n amazing journey.鈥 He was 鈥渧ery proud鈥 of his first role as a producer, and now has a great deal more respect for those individuals who are involved on the production side of filmmaking.
He praised Egypt鈥檚 movie industry because of its ability to reach audiences, including in the Kingdom. There was a gap in the market to produce films in the mould of Egypt, including comedies and musicals, which Saudis would 鈥渓ove.鈥
He said it would be 鈥渁 win鈥 even if such 抖阴短视频-produced films break even.
