Saudi Arabia dramatically unveiled PlayMaker Studios, immediately attracting Game of Thrones and House of Cards veteran director Alik Sakharov for its inaugural production. The state-of-the-art filmmaking complex, situated just outside Riyadh in Qiddiya City, signifies another crucial expansion within the Kingdom’s swiftly growing media ecosystem.
Consequently, Sakharov officially begins pre-production on Unbroken Sword, a large-scale historical action feature, making it the very first project to shoot at the impressive new facility.
PlayMaker Studios: A Cornerstone of Qiddiya City
Spanning an impressive 50 acres, PlayMaker Studios currently features two advanced, purpose-built soundstages and comprehensive production workshops for large-scale projects. Furthermore, the complex includes contemporary offices, expansive backlots, and necessary on-site amenities essential for housing major international film crews.
Construction crews are already underway building two additional stages, slated for efficient completion during 2026, significantly expanding the facility’s capacity for simultaneous multiple international shoots. The complex will soon incorporate dedicated postproduction, VFX, and music studios, thus forming an essential component of Qiddiya City’s wider entertainment infrastructure.
This massive entertainment-and-lifestyle megaproject, located approximately 45 miles southwest of Riyadh, is currently building Saudi Arabia’s flagship “city of play” across 140 square miles. This enormous development combines theme parks, major sporting venues, luxury resorts, cultural centers, residential housing, and comprehensive entertainment infrastructure as part of the country’s ambitious Vision 2030 development drive.
Abdullah Aldawood, managing director of Qiddiya Investment Company, stressed the studio’s importance, “PlayMaker Studios is a genuine cornerstone of Qiddiya City’s ambition, powerfully building upon Saudi Arabia’s accelerating success in the creative industries.” He continued: “It marks a profoundly important step in strengthening this momentum and fulfilling our vision to establish a world-class destination combining innovation, culture, and entertainment.”
Unbroken Sword Production and Competitive Incentives
The film, produced by Sela and backed by the General Entertainment Authority and Riyadh Season, anticipates commencing principal photography in early 2026. Initially, more than 200 crew members have arrived on site, vigorously preparing to utilize PlayMaker’s new soundstages and the area’s truly dramatic natural backdrop. Specifically, the majestic Tuwaiq Mountains frame the studio development on the desert’s edge, providing a unique and epic visual canvas for filmmakers.
Richard Sharkey, the veteran producer of House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings franchise, manages the ambitious Unbroken Sword project. He confidently commented, “Being the first production to use the facility is clearly both a privilege and a heavy responsibility, making the task even more exciting.” Sharkey added, “The sheer scale, the exceptional support, and the obvious ambition at Qiddiya City are completely unmatched by any competing international location.”
Saudi Arabia further enhances this appeal by offering one of the world’s most competitive screen incentives: a powerful 40% cash rebate on production expenditure. Producers access this generous rebate easily through entities such as PlayMaker Studios and the established NEOM production hub.
Kingdom’s Production Power Grows
The Qiddiya development joins a rapidly growing constellation of purpose-built film and television hubs currently being established across Saudi Arabia. For instance, AlUla Studios began commercial operations this year hosting Chasing Red, starring Madelaine Petsch, showing immediate utility for international films.
Similarly, NEOM’s Media Village and Bajdah Desert Studios have successfully hosted diverse projects ranging from the epic Desert Warrior to various international commercials and streaming series. Together, these modern facilities are transforming Saudi Arabia into the Middle East’s most technologically advanced production environment, strategically positioning the Kingdom globally.
