Film AlUla unveils ‘Siwar,’ a venture with Hakawati entertainment

The debut feature-length film by award-winning Saudi director and producer Osama Alkhurayji, “Siwar,” will be filmed in AlUla, Film AlUla, the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency, announced on Wednesday. (Supplied)

• Announcement is closely aligned with Vision 2030 goals to diversify economy and foster cultural development
• ‘Siwar’ comes close on the heels of 2 other high-profile Saudi productions to be shot in AlUla

ALULA: The debut feature-length film by award-winning Saudi director and producer Osama Alkhurayji, “Siwar,” will be filmed in AlUla, Film AlUla, the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency, announced on Wednesday.
With Film AlUla providing rebates and incentives to promote and enable homegrown filmmakers, the announcement is closely aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and foster cultural development, according to a media release.
“Siwar” is a heart-rending narrative of two families entangled in a fateful revelation about their newborns. The film, spanning three chapters, delves into the lives of Yaner, a Turkish father, and Hamad, a Saudi father, as they navigate societal challenges and personal upheavals.
This storytelling approach reflects Alkhurayji’s unique ability to craft engaging narratives that resonate with audiences on multiple levels.
In addition to his role as the director of “Siwar,” Alkhurayji began his filmmaking journey in 2007, earning international recognition for his work. A prolific content producer, he has worked with several regional and international TV networks, theaters, distributors, and streaming platforms such as Netflix, Shahid and SBA.
“‘Siwar’ is poised to make a profound impact at both national and international levels, reflecting the unique stories and cultural richness of the region. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project,” said Alkhurayji.
The film is produced by Omar Said, whose credits span work across Los Angeles, Vietnam, Mexico, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
He said: “Since 2016, I’ve been immersed in Saudi Arabia’s thriving film industry, watching it flourish daily. I’m thrilled about sharing our upcoming story — the excitement to captivate audiences is beyond words.”
Meanwhile, Charlene Deleon-Jones, executive director of Film AlUla, said: “Over the past three years, Film AlUla has steadily and sustainably built a film economy that can host high-quality film production. It is a privilege and of primary importance to support homegrown talent. AlUla, with its history of storytelling, is a perfect place to platform new talent. We are thrilled to be supporting Alkhurayji for his film ‘Siwar’.”
“Siwar” comes close on the heels of two other high-profile Saudi productions to be shot in AlUla — Netflix drama “The Matchmaker” and Saudi filmmaker Tawfik Al-Zaidi’s debut feature “Norah,” which premiered at the Red Sea International Film Festival this year. “Norah” is the first local feature film to be shot in AlUla and features an all-Saudi cast and more than 40 percent Saudi crew.
The expanding roster of Saudi productions reinforces Film AlUla’s ambition to expand the opportunities and reach available to homegrown creators.