Saudi Digital Vision Meets Hollywood Ambition at GITEX North Star

At the GITEX North Star tech forum in Dubai, Saudi tech advisor Adel Al Harbi and film financier David Stybr, President and CEO of BOXO Productions, discussed Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 diversification, the rise of a homegrown film industry, and how technologies like blockchain and AI are reshaping entertainment.

See full conversation: https://youtu.be/yFPBUUia_8U 

Driving a Digital Economy Under Vision 2030

Al Harbi, an executive advisor helping implement Vision 2030, highlighted the Kingdom’s aggressive push into the digital economy. “Our goal is for our economy to transform from an energy-dependent economy to a diversified economy. We want to be leaders in the new age, and that’s technology,” Al Harbi said. He also acts as a liaison between global tech companies and Saudi regulators, translating technical concepts into policy terms to help new initiatives clear regulatory hurdles.

Embracing Culture and Business Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

Al Harbi stressed that to succeed in Saudi Arabia’s booming market, companies must show a genuine long-term commitment. A key step is establishing a local presence in Riyadh. He noted that all the big industry players – from Microsoft to Google – have been setting up regional headquarters in Riyadh. Managing Saudi deals remotely is no longer effective – being on the ground allows quick meetings and faster decisions. Al Harbi added that setting up a foreign-owned business in Saudi is now extremely fast, with registrations and even visas often issued in minutes.

Equally important is embracing Saudi culture. He invites investors to experience the local coffee and cuisine, and to build personal relationships. “Come in, embrace our culture – and you’re welcome,” he said. This cultural immersion not only enriches the experience for foreign investors but also builds the trust and rapport necessary for doing business in the region.

A Rising Homegrown Film Industry

The conversation turned to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning creative sector, an area where the government is investing heavily as part of Vision 2030’s cultural and entertainment goals. Since lifting its 35-year cinema ban in 2018, flagship events like the Red Sea International Film Festival and the Joy Awards gala now showcase Saudi talent. A government fund even launched a dedicated film financing program in 2022 with $234 million to boost local production.

Private investors are also starting to back movies as they see the industry’s potential. Government support is likewise generous – as long as a project has some Saudi element (like local talent, locations, or cultural themes), official funds and incentives are on the table.

Hollywood Collaboration Comes to the Gulf

Štýbr, CEO of BOXO Productions and founder of the Dubai Movie Fund, has partnered with some of Hollywood’s biggest names – from Morgan Freeman to Robert De Niro – on film projects. Now he plans to bring some of those productions to the Gulf. He said one motivation for launching the Dubai fund was to establish a special-effects studio in the region to support these movies and build local capacity.

“We can put these movies here and let the local teams be part of it – and learn with the best people in Hollywood how to make them happen,” Štýbr said, highlighting the benefits of local crews working alongside Hollywood veterans.

Such collaboration and hands-on training align with Saudi Arabia’s goal to upskill its nascent film workforce.

Blockchain and the Future of Entertainment

Beyond traditional filmmaking, the two speakers explored how emerging technologies could revolutionize entertainment. Stybr also noted that filmmakers are starting to use AI tools to speed up production and special effects – a trend that could allow more content to be made faster, albeit with careful creative oversight. Stybr described plans for a tokenized film-financing platform, allowing people to invest in movies via crypto tokens and share in the royalties.

Al Harbi stressed that the Kingdom welcomes blockchain technology but remains cautious on cryptocurrency. “We are blockchain friendly – it’s just about what it’s being used for and how,” Al Harbi explained, noting that any crypto-related projects must go through proper channels to ensure stability.

A ‘Win-Win’ Vision on the Horizon

Štýbr aims to launch the Middle East movie fund by year’s end – with Saudi Arabia “definitely an option” as its base. The fund could even use blockchain tokens for financing. “We’d like to set it up by the end of the year… and have a win-win scenario for all of us,” Štýbr said.

Al Harbi wrapped up by inviting entrepreneurs and creators worldwide to visit Saudi Arabia and see the opportunities firsthand. “It’s about time that you come to Saudi, see what the market has got, experience the culture,” he said.

Website: http://www.boxoproductions.com/