Diriyah sits on the northwestern edge of Riyadh. It is where the first Saudi state began, in the 18th century. We filmed here for Aperture, our documentary with British photographer Richard Wilding. The place also inspired one of our own animated films. Here is what we have learned from filming in Diriyah.
The heart of the site is At-Turaif, an old walled district of Najdi mud-brick palaces and houses. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Across Wadi Hanifa, the Bujairi quarter has restored streets, cafés and restaurants. As a result, ruins, restored buildings and modern life all sit within a short walk.
Light matters most when filming in Diriyah. The mud walls glow warm gold in the first and last hours of the day. At midday, however, the sun flattens them. The cooler months from October to March also make long exterior days easier. In the evenings, Bujairi is lit up and busy, so it suits night scenes.
Arrange permits for filming in Diriyah well in advance. First, you need a filming permit from the Saudi Film Commission. The site operator runs the heritage areas, so you also need their approval. Drones need a separate permit too. We handle all of these applications as part of our location work.
Diriyah appears in Aperture, which follows Richard Wilding as he returns to the Kingdom after 14 years. Shahid, MBC and Al Thaqafiyah have all broadcast the film. Diriyah also inspired From the Edge of the World to Diriyah, an anime we produced ourselves.
“Plan around the light and the permits, and Diriyah does the rest.”
Stock Stop
Location filming is one of the ways Stock Stop supports productions across Saudi Arabia, from scouting to crew and kit. With offices in London and Riyadh, we can support your own crew or run the whole shoot. If you are planning a shoot in Jeddah, we would be glad to talk.
