Hobal Film

Hobal Film is a Saudi feature film that won the Daw Film Competition, affiliated with the Saudi Film Commission, one of the entities under the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The film tells a dramatic human story set in the desert of Saudi Arabia during the early 1990s. It was filmed in September 2023.

The events of Hobal were filmed in studios in Jeddah, in the NEOM area located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. The natural landscapes play a central and impactful role in the events of the film. The reason for naming the film "Hobal" is due to the sound used by Bedouins to call camels.

The story of the film Hobal revolves around a Saudi family in the early 1990s, living in isolation in the desert. They are unable to leave it due to the strict laws set by the family patriarch. A series of events unfolds, threatening the family's existence, and all the family members find themselves in a life-or-death struggle.

The screenplay for Hobal was written by Saudi writer Mufrej Al-Majfal, and directed by Saudi director Abdulaziz Al-Shlahei. The film stars Ibrahim Al-Hassawi, Mishal Al-Mutairi, and Mila Al-Zahrani, along with a group of Saudi actors.

The decision to film the movie in studios in Jeddah, in the NEOM area, was due to the region's natural landscapes, which align with the film's events. Additionally, the region provided the necessary support for all stages of production, offering expertise in film production, providing a working crew, selecting suitable filming locations, and delivering logistical services. The area also provided modern sound studios and several facilities, including production offices, makeup rooms, and green rooms, while also supporting filmmakers and emerging talents.