Film AlUla, the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency, and global media company Stampede Ventures has signed a three-year deal with a projected spend of $350 million in AlUla.
The partnership finalised at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia involves Film AlUla providing rebates and incentives.
The deal will see Stampede Ventures bringing ten productions to AlUla over three years and advancing AlUla’s ambitions to hub a world-class film and creative industry.
Greg Silverman, founder and CEO of Stampede Ventures, is an entertainment industry expert known for his track record at Warner Brothers where he directed over 125 films to more than $38 billion in worldwide box office, most notably Harry Potter, Chris Nolan’s Batman series, Zack Snyder’s 300 and Todd Phillips’Hangover trilogy, and Joker.
He also brought American Sniper, Gravity, The Lego Franchise, The Great Gatsby, Argo, and Mad Max: Fury Road to audiences and countless others over his 20 year run at Warner Brothers.
His work has resonated around the world but has also promoted the growth of national film industries such as the UK and Australia.
His creative and commercial instincts as well as his world-wide network and world-class experience were instrumental to his success at Warner Bros as the President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production.
He founded his company Stampede Ventures to create and own IP across film, television and digital and bring a new generation of blockbusters to the screen.
The Film AlUla-Stampede partnership is closely aligned to the realisation of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and foster cultural development.
With a three-year pipeline of productions, the partnership will play a key role in growing AlUla from a regional creative hub to a platform for global filmmaking talent.
Amr AlMadani, CEO at Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “Our partnership with Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures is a first-of-its-kind in the region and underscores Saudi Arabia’s investment potential as a film and creative hub.
“Over the past three years, Film AlUla has steadily and sustainably built a film economy that is capable of hosting productions from around the world.
“We are nearing completion of a 30,000 sq. m studio complex and are upskilling Saudis to assume leading roles in front of and behind the camera. A partnership of this scale will accelerate our growth and increase our global visibility.”
Greg Silverman, CEO at Stampede Studios said: “We are thrilled to have this ground-breaking partnership with Film AlUla which will further develop their infrastructure for international productions, creating opportunities for the local economy and people, and add scope and nuance to our slate.
“Perhaps more importantly, the cultural exchange between U.S. and Saudi filmmakers will make for better films and better understanding, the kind of connection that can only come through extended collaboration in the creation of art.”
