Saudi Arabia: Newest State-of-the-Art Film Production Hub Launched in Qiddiya City

Located at the heart of Qiddiya City, PlayMaker Studios sits just 40 minutes from Riyadh
Located at the heart of Qiddiya City, PlayMaker Studios sits just 40 minutes from Riyadh
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Saudi Arabia: Newest State-of-the-Art Film Production Hub Launched in Qiddiya City

Located at the heart of Qiddiya City, PlayMaker Studios sits just 40 minutes from Riyadh
Located at the heart of Qiddiya City, PlayMaker Studios sits just 40 minutes from Riyadh

Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the official opening of PlayMaker Studios at Qiddiya City, marking the launch of Saudi Arabia’s newest state-of-the-art film production hub. The opening represents a major milestone in the Kingdom’s rapidly advancing film and creative industries.

The launch of PlayMaker Studios marks a strategic addition to Saudi Arabia’s production infrastructure. The studios feature two high-spec, purpose-built soundstages, flexible workshops, and fully integrated production facilities designed to meet the needs of large-scale international and regional productions. The complex also includes modern production offices and on-site support amenities, offering a seamless, end-to-end production environment.

With strong demand already recorded for studio space, construction has begun on two additional world-class soundstages, scheduled for completion in 2026, which will significantly expand PlayMaker Studios’ capacity and enable it to host multiple major productions simultaneously.

Qiddiya Investment Company has also established a dedicated on-the-ground team to provide hands-on support for producers across permitting, logistics, and operational services. In addition, PlayMaker Studios offers streamlined access to Saudi Arabia’s industry-leading 40% production cash rebate, one of the most competitive incentives globally.

As part of its long-term development strategy, PlayMaker Studios will introduce dedicated post-production, visual effects, volumetric, and music studios, further strengthening the Kingdom’s creative and production ecosystem. The complex is set to become both a creative powerhouse and a core pillar of Qiddiya City’s entertainment offering.

Qiddiya Investment Company Managing Director Abdullah Aldawood said: “PlayMaker Studios is a cornerstone of Qiddiya City’s ambition and builds on Saudi Arabia’s growing success in the creative industries. It marks an important step in strengthening this momentum and realizing our vision to create a world class destination where innovation, culture and entertainment come together, and where the global film industry can find a new home in the Kingdom.”

Located at the heart of Qiddiya City - the world’s first destination where culture, sport, and creativity converge - PlayMaker Studios sits just 40 minutes from Riyadh, offering producers integrated logistics solutions, premium accommodation options for production teams, and direct access to a dynamic entertainment environment designed to inspire world-class content creation.



Saudi Embassy in Egypt Celebrates Flag Day, Honoring National Pride and Identity

This gesture reflects pride in the Saudi flag - SPA
This gesture reflects pride in the Saudi flag - SPA
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Saudi Embassy in Egypt Celebrates Flag Day, Honoring National Pride and Identity

This gesture reflects pride in the Saudi flag - SPA
This gesture reflects pride in the Saudi flag - SPA

The Saudi Embassy in Egypt was proudly adorned with the Flag Day in celebration of this national occasion, which is observed annually on March 11.

This gesture reflects pride in the Saudi flag, a symbol of unity and sovereignty that embodies the values of monotheism, justice, and strength upon which the Saudi state was established, SPA reported.

Decorating the embassy building with the Flag Day demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom's diplomatic missions abroad to emphasize the significance of this national event and its historical and patriotic importance.

It reaffirms the enduring meanings the Saudi flag holds for the Kingdom's history, identity, and standing in the world.


Red Sea Labs Selects 12 Projects for New Edition of Feature Films Program

The Red Sea Film Foundation logo
The Red Sea Film Foundation logo
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Red Sea Labs Selects 12 Projects for New Edition of Feature Films Program

The Red Sea Film Foundation logo
The Red Sea Film Foundation logo

The Red Sea Film Foundation has selected 12 film projects for the new edition of its Feature Films Program, formerly known as the Lodge, under its educational arm, Red Sea Labs. The cohort includes three Saudi projects and nine international projects.

The foundation said in a statement that this transition from “Lodge” to “Feature Films Program” marks more than a rebrand; it signals a strategic new chapter for the Labs, aligning the program more clearly with its core mission of advancing high-quality feature filmmaking and strengthening connections with key global institutions.

The Feature Films Program continues to support emerging filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa, and Asia, building on the experience of previous editions while reinforcing its professional structure and specialized focus.

Selected teams will take part in a comprehensive development journey that includes tailored mentorship, script consultations, production guidance, and industry orientation, led by regional and international experts, said the statement.

The program will conclude with project presentations at the Red Sea International Film Festival, where participants will have the opportunity to present their projects to producers, sales agents, distributors, and supporting institutions, contributing to the further development and advancement of their films.

The statement also said that further announcements and key milestones will be revealed throughout the year, reflecting the foundation’s broader vision for Red Sea Labs, and signaling continued growth in the opportunities offered to filmmakers across the region and beyond.

“We have rebuilt the Feature Films Program from the ground up with a clear focus: time for the craft, precision in the process, and a real roadmap to the industry, an inspiring, intensive journey designed around the filmmaker, the film, and the path to the global stage,” said Director of the Red Sea Labs Ryan Ashore.


Dresden City Center Cleared to Defuse Unexploded WWII Bomb

 11 March 2026, Saxony, Dresden: A police officer cordoned off Grosse Meissner Strasse at an evacuation of the city center, during an operation to defuse a World War II bomb at the former Carola Bridge. (dpa)
11 March 2026, Saxony, Dresden: A police officer cordoned off Grosse Meissner Strasse at an evacuation of the city center, during an operation to defuse a World War II bomb at the former Carola Bridge. (dpa)
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Dresden City Center Cleared to Defuse Unexploded WWII Bomb

 11 March 2026, Saxony, Dresden: A police officer cordoned off Grosse Meissner Strasse at an evacuation of the city center, during an operation to defuse a World War II bomb at the former Carola Bridge. (dpa)
11 March 2026, Saxony, Dresden: A police officer cordoned off Grosse Meissner Strasse at an evacuation of the city center, during an operation to defuse a World War II bomb at the former Carola Bridge. (dpa)

Officials in Dresden evacuated 18,000 people Wednesday after the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb, the largest such operation yet in the eastern German city, emergency services said.

A bomb squad was set to try to defuse the 250-kilogramme (550-pound) British bomb which was found during work in the city center to rebuild an Elbe river bridge that collapsed in 2024.

The exclusion zone had been fully established by 9:00 am (0800 GMT), said police in the Saxony state capital.

More than 400 police along with other emergency services were deployed, backed up by a helicopter and a drone, to check that homes, shops, schools, care homes and offices were empty inside a one-kilometer radius of the device.

The bomb was discovered on Tuesday during clearance and construction work following the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge in September 2024.

The evacuation affected major historic sites including the city's Zwinger Palace and the Frauenkirche church, as well as residential buildings, hotels and government offices.

Because the bomb's detonator is damaged, a water jet cutter has to be used which will "naturally delay" the operation, police spokesman Marko Laske told public broadcaster MDR.

If that doesn't work, bomb squad experts will have to consider detonating the bomb on site, he added.

Dresden was heavily bombed by the Allies on February 13 and 14, 1945, killing up to 25,000 people and destroying large parts of the old town known for its Baroque architecture.

World War II bombs were previously found and defused at the site in January and August 2025, with thousands of people affected each time.