Latest in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has taken another step in its push to become a movie production hub by launching its long-awaited 40% cash rebate to grow the local economy. Unveiling the Film Saudi initiative at the Cannes Saudi Pavilion, the Saudi Film Commission (SFC) said the program is now open for applications via a dedicated…

When Saudi Arabia announced it was opening movie theaters for the first time in 35 years back in late 2017, there was excitement from international exhibitors and Hollywood studios who saw a fertile new market of opportunity. Importantly, 70% of the Kingdom's 34M population is under 30 and has money to spend.  And…

A film festival is about more than just the films and the festival center. It is about the location, the journey, the experience. Here on Deadline we'll be bringing you updates on what it's like to be on the ground at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival, Saudi Arabia's first ever film festival.  I'm more…

UPDATED: A Saudi national suspected of playing a part in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was detained by French police, emphasis on “suspected.” Today, Paris prosecutors said the person detained was not a former member of the Saudi Royal Guard who participated in the murder of the Washington Post contributor…

Saudi Arabian production and finance outfit Telfaz11 is planning to expand its ability to finance film and TV content after securing a multi-million-dollar funding round. Exact amounts were not disclosed. The money comes from a consortium of investors led by Saudi exhibition chain Muvi Cinemas. Also involved are the…

An open letter in the Washington Post from the woman who was engaged to slain reporter Jamal Khashoggi is urging Justin Bieber not to play a Dec. 5 show in the kingdom. Bieber is set to perform in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. He is the headliner among a group of artists performing as part of the Formula One Saudi…

EXCLUSIVE: Here are your first look images of Jeremy Irons (House of Gucci) and Saw star Tobin Bell in recently-wrapped horror movie Cello, which we brought you news of last week. Filming completed last week on the under-the-radar English- and Arabic-language feature, which was filmed in Saudi Arabia and Czech…

EXCLUSIVE: Few recent festival launches have garnered as much chatter as the Red Sea International Film Festival, Saudi Arabia’s first ever film festival. Film festivals are largely seen as liberal spaces, but Saudi Arabia is among the more culturally conservative and politically repressive countries on Earth. So how…

Deadline reported yesterday that Marvel’s latest juggernaut, The Eternals, will not be shown in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. The film — which contains the MCUs first same-sex kiss — was due to open in those markets on November 11, but censors sought further cuts beyond any scenes of same-sex…

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s an interesting one. Production has just wrapped on Cello, an under-the-radar English- and Arabic-language horror movie shot in Saudi Arabia by Saw filmmaker Darren Lynn Bousman. Oscar winner Jeremy Irons (House of Gucci) and Saw star Tobin Bell lead cast alongside Syrian actor Samer Ismail (The Day I…

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday that could lead to the declassification of documents related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, with victims’ families having long sought to make public such information. “Today, I signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice and other relevant…

Discovery Wednesday unveiled a long-term partnership with Saudi telecom’s group’s digital entertainment arm Intigral to provide broadcast and subscription-video-on-demand content to its flagship OTT service, Jawwy TV. The deal gives Jawwy TV subscribers to access to select Discovery content in a Discovery+ branded…