Films are no longer just a form of entertainment; they have become an economic and cultural force capable of reshaping the image of cities and stimulating their growth.

When a city hosts the filming of a major cinematic production, the tourism, hotel, and transport sectors are boosted, and opportunities for investment and job creation increase.

Numerous experiences around the world have shown that a single successful film or a famous movie series can change the fate of an entire city, transforming it from an ordinary place to a global destination that attracts visitors year-round.

In this report, we examine how films have contributed to revitalizing the economies of various cities, and what lessons can be drawn from this phenomenon.

AlUla: Exceptional Locations Attracting Global Cinema

The stunning Saudi city of AlUla has succeeded in building a growing reputation as a destination for global film productions, capitalizing on its unique natural beauty and moderate climate. This growth has helped attract dozens of projects; last year 2025, AlUla hosted 83 audiovisual projects, including feature films, documentaries, commercials, and television works. It aims to establish itself as a regional content hub and transform film production into an economic sector that supports tourism and provides new global opportunities for Saudi male and female filmmakers.

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Los Angeles: The Film Capital

Beginning with the emergence of Hollywood over a century ago, the film industry in Los Angeles has evolved into an integrated economic and investment sector that includes global studios, visual effects companies, production, distribution, and marketing, along with thousands of businesses in transportation, hospitality, set design, and digital technology. Data from the Los Angeles County Film Office indicates that the entertainment and media sector comprises more than 15,000 companies, generating an estimated economic impact of $117.2 billion annually.

The impact of this industry is not limited to film production; the city receives millions of visitors annually who wish to visit the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and other iconic film landmarks, supporting the tourism, hotel, restaurant, and retail sectors. Thus, Los Angeles has become a global model of a city that successfully transformed cinema from an artistic activity into a strategic industry forming one of the pillars of its economy.

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Abu Dhabi: Competitive Advantages Cement Its Production Status

Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has transformed into one of the region's leading film production destinations, thanks to competitive financial incentives, advanced infrastructure, and facilities that have made the emirate a preferred choice for global production companies. Since launching its film incentive program in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission has supported more than 170 international productions, including the Dune trilogy, F1, Mission: Impossible, Star Wars, and others.

Abu Dhabi raised its production cost rebate to 35%, with the possibility of reaching 50% for projects that meet additional criteria, strengthening its ability to attract the world's biggest studios. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission also noted that every dirham invested through the incentive program generates more than three dirhams in returns to the local economy.

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Salzburg: One Film Changed Its Tourism Future

Salzburg was a historic European city known for its musical and architectural heritage, but the film The Sound of Music gave it unprecedented global fame. Since its release in 1965, the city has become a destination for fans of the film from around the world, with more than 300,000 people visiting the filming locations annually, according to the Salzburg Tourism Board. Specialized tour companies emerged organizing film-inspired tours, and tourism linked to the classic film 'The Sound of Music' has become part of the city's economic identity, in one of the most successful indirect marketing stories created by films.

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Ouarzazate: Low Cost Advantage Opens Doors to Investment

In the heart of the Moroccan desert, the city of Ouarzazate has succeeded in turning its stunning landscape into an integrated economic industry. For decades, the city has attracted dozens of international productions thanks to its diverse terrain, large studios, and lower filming costs compared to other destinations.

The city has hosted filming of famous films such as Gladiator, and was recently selected as one of the filming locations for Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey. This activity has helped provide thousands of job opportunities for local residents in acting, technical support, and logistics services. It demonstrates that investment in the film industry can create a sustainable economy even in areas far from major urban centers.