Netflix and Righters House Conclude “Write the Future” Training Program across 3 Saudi Regions

Netflix and Righters House announce the successful completion of the Write the Future: Feature Film Writers Lab in Saudi Arabia. The three region  screenwriting program helped support underrepresented voices in building market-ready projects. With the goal of strengthening talent pipelines and supporting new voices in Saudi Arabia, the program brought professional-grade training directly to creative communities across Asir, Al Madinah, and the Eastern Province. What began as an open call to emerging screenwriters in Saudi has concluded as an investment in the Kingdom’s storytelling future.

Eighteen selected writers, chosen from a competitive application pool, emerged from the program with an Arabic-language feature film development package, including a logline, synopsis, treatment, pitch deck, and recorded pitch. Taking place over three phases, the program combined online masterclasses and in-person workshops to sharpen the creative skills of fresh voices across Saudi Arabia.

"Saudi Arabia is one of the region's most exciting creative markets, with a new generation of writers ready to tell its stories. Through Write the Future, we're aiming to bridge the gap between emerging talent and the film industry, reflecting our long-term commitment to strengthening the Kingdom's storytelling ecosystem." said Pelin Mavili, Netflix's Director of Global Affairs for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.

Delivered in Arabic, the program covered the full spectrum of screenwriting craft from story development, character architecture, narrative structure, to the art of the pitch.

Rulan Hasan, Co-founder of Righters House, said: "In the course of Write the Future, we observed a profound evolution as emerging cinematic voices gained both structural clarity and creative confidence. This initiative served as a vital gateway for aspiring filmmakers throughout the Kingdom, providing the essential frameworks, mentorship, and professional guidance required to advance their feature film concepts toward realization. We were particularly struck by the authenticity and regional resonance of the narratives, stories that felt remarkably distinctive and grounded. It is an honor to celebrate the participants' progress, and we extend our gratitude to Netflix for their partnership in this developmental journey."

For the writers themselves, the program marked a turning point in their filmmaking journeys.

Alhanof Alsalamah, one of the participants from the Madinah Hub, shared: "I entered the lab with an idea and left with a more developed film project, deeper knowledge, and an inspiring community of mentors and fellow writers."

Meanwhile, Abdulelah Alzahrani, one of the participants from the Abha Hub, reflected on his experience, saying: "The lab and its development workshops opened a new horizon in my writing, while discussions with mentors and fellow participants clearly strengthened my project."

For Netflix, initiatives such as Write the Future: Feature Film Writers Lab stem from a long-term commitment to supporting diversity in storytelling and contributing meaningfully to the long-term development of the film industry in Saudi Arabia and the region. By investing in emerging Saudi talent at the development stage, Netflix continues its work to ensure the Kingdom's stories are told with the craft and ambition they deserve, contributing to the growth of the creative industry.