In the rapidly evolving Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Konoz initiative was launched in 2023 to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s cultural and intellectual creativity. Konoz—meaning “treasures”—embodies the country’s commitment to documenting its rich cultural heritage, innovative spirit, and civilizational contributions. Financed by the Human Capacity Development Program under Vision 2030, a plan to reduce oil dependence and diversify the economy by growing sectors like culture and tourism, Konoz’s mission is to showcase the many treasures of Saudi Arabia, from its vibrant culture to its breathtaking natural beauty.
Leading Konoz, Abdullah Alahmari articulates his vision and passion, “We are here to celebrate the success stories of Saudi citizens from across the demographic spectrum documenting our deep and rich cultural history, intellectual creativity, and centuries of contribution to civilization.” The content produced by Konoz is distributed across multiple media platforms including social media, OTT services, television channels, including inflight entertainment, ensuring broad and diverse audience engagement.
Konoz’s content offering is diverse and impactful, ranging from dramatized short films to enlightening documentaries and animation. The productions aim to showcase the many faces of Saudi society while promoting its fundamental values of national pride, belonging, it’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. By creating content that resonates both locally and internationally, Konoz aims to reshape global perceptions of Saudi Arabia sharing a new and more progressive narrative. Through its varied offering, the initiative implements core principles and values, reinforcing its national pride while highlighting the inspirational stories of Saudi citizens.
A cornerstone of Konoz’s portfolio is its flagship documentary Horizon, currently on the Netflix streaming platform, a visually captivating exploration of Saudi Arabia’s natural wonders. A high-quality production with storytelling and environmental advocacy.
Beyond Horizon, Konoz has produced other notable series including Saudi Atlas, a visual celebration of Saudi cities, and Alaa Had Sawa’a, which documents the inspiring stories of Saudi women who have seen their lives transformed by the more recent lifting of restrictions on women in the Kingdom. These series have been particularly successful in broadening international perspectives on Saudi Arabia’s urban and social development.
The high quality of production attests to Konoz’s commitment to excellence as well as training and working with local talent, ensuring that each project supports the local eco-system. “The involvement of local professionals is crucial, as it not only ensures authenticity but also empowers the filmmaking industry here in Saudi Arabia,” Alahmari explains.
“We are documenting our rich cultural history, intellectual creativity, and centuries of contribution to civilization”
Abdullah Alahmari, CEO Konoz initiative
Konoz’s impact extends beyond Saudi borders actively participating in international TV content markets and festivals throughout Europe, promoting Saudi culture to global audiences. These events provide a platform for Konoz to showcase the richness and diversity of Saudi Arabian life, providing a more nuanced positive image of the Kingdom, aligning seamlessly with the Vision 2030 goal of fostering a vibrant cultural sector that drives both national pride and global recognition.
Looking ahead, Konoz plans to continue expanding its portfolio with new projects that further explore Saudi Arabia’s natural and cultural heritage. Upcoming documentaries turns the spotlight on the Kingdom’s giga projects—from NEOM to the Red Sea Project—illustrating the ambitious transformations reshaping the nation. Saudi Arabia’s traditional folk music and dance will also bring the Kingdom’s creative sector to the fore, celebrating diverse musical traditions such as the Al-Ardah, a traditional sword dance accompanied by drums and poetry, and the Samri, a lively Bedouin-style performance that reflects the deep-rooted cultural rhythms of the region.
Konoz represents a cultural renaissance that captures the essence of Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. Through its engaging and insightful productions, Konoz not only documents the Kingdom’s hidden treasures but also shares an inspired and woken sense of national pride embodying the spirit and vision of Saudi Arabia’s future.
