The third edition of the Red Sea Film Festival, wrapping Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, felt like a direct response to a burning question from executives and investors present at the festival’s market arm last year: Could Saudi Arabia step out from drama and comedy and head into genre filmmaking? The answer offered by the festival, it turns out, was a resounding yes.
“Arabs are closer to fantasy than the Western world,” director Yasir Al-Yasiri told Variety of this year’s Red Sea Film Festival opening film, “Hwjn.” The film, a sprawling fantasy about the Arab Jinn culture set and shot in Jeddah, comes at the “right time,” according to the director. “We have the means to do so, and so many talented people have gathered great experience from working abroad with big companies and now they are working in our region.”
“Saudi changed so much that suddenly we had room to explore,...
“Arabs are closer to fantasy than the Western world,” director Yasir Al-Yasiri told Variety of this year’s Red Sea Film Festival opening film, “Hwjn.” The film, a sprawling fantasy about the Arab Jinn culture set and shot in Jeddah, comes at the “right time,” according to the director. “We have the means to do so, and so many talented people have gathered great experience from working abroad with big companies and now they are working in our region.”
“Saudi changed so much that suddenly we had room to explore,...
- 12/9/2023
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar winner Nicholas Cage received a Red Sea Honouree award
Zarrar Kahn’s Karachi-set thriller In Flames won the $100,000 Golden Yusr award for best feature film at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival, which announced its winners on Thursday evening (December 7).
A Canada-Pakistan co-production and Pakistan’s entry to the Oscars, In Flames is the story of a mother and daughter trying to survive after losing the family patriarch. It world premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
Indian production Dear Jassi, directed by Tarsem Singh, won the $30,000 Silver Yusr. Based on the true story of an Indian couple who fell foul of the class system,...
Zarrar Kahn’s Karachi-set thriller In Flames won the $100,000 Golden Yusr award for best feature film at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival, which announced its winners on Thursday evening (December 7).
A Canada-Pakistan co-production and Pakistan’s entry to the Oscars, In Flames is the story of a mother and daughter trying to survive after losing the family patriarch. It world premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
Indian production Dear Jassi, directed by Tarsem Singh, won the $30,000 Silver Yusr. Based on the true story of an Indian couple who fell foul of the class system,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Mona Sheded
- ScreenDaily
Hamzah Jamjoom’s eco-thriller “Running Dry,” which will start principal photography on Dec. 26, has revealed its leading cast members.
The film will star Baraa Alem, Waleed Zuaiter, Houshang Touzie, Naif Aldaferi and Ali Fardi.
Jamjoom’s credits include “Rupture,” winner of the Best Saudi Film Award at the Red Sea Film Festival in 2021, and “How I Got There,” the Best Saudi Film Award winner at last year’s Red Sea Film Festival.
It is based on a script by Gregory Collins and Jamjoom, from a story by Waleed Al Sanad and is produced by Abubakar Khan.
Inspired by real events, “Running Dry” follows the story of a poor mechanic from rural Saudi Arabia who is lured overseas only to be held captive by a sadistic drug lord.
Jamjoom said: “This film is really about overcoming forces that use and manipulate resources in order to divide people and consolidate power. In that sense,...
The film will star Baraa Alem, Waleed Zuaiter, Houshang Touzie, Naif Aldaferi and Ali Fardi.
Jamjoom’s credits include “Rupture,” winner of the Best Saudi Film Award at the Red Sea Film Festival in 2021, and “How I Got There,” the Best Saudi Film Award winner at last year’s Red Sea Film Festival.
It is based on a script by Gregory Collins and Jamjoom, from a story by Waleed Al Sanad and is produced by Abubakar Khan.
Inspired by real events, “Running Dry” follows the story of a poor mechanic from rural Saudi Arabia who is lured overseas only to be held captive by a sadistic drug lord.
Jamjoom said: “This film is really about overcoming forces that use and manipulate resources in order to divide people and consolidate power. In that sense,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Red Sea International Film Festival Closing Night Gala was attended by Halle Berry, Nicolas Cage, Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Andrew Garfield, Henry Golding, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joel Kinnaman Jason Statham on December 07, 2023 in Jeddah.
The Festival Awards night will close with the Mena Premiere of Ferrari, the new biopic from Michael Mann and starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki’s most recent film The Boy and the Heron, will screen as the Public Closing Film.
In celebration of female voices in film, the Red Sea International Film Festival (RedSeaIFF) and Vanity Fair Europe hosted the 5th Women In Cinema Dinner event this evening, shining a light on the achievements of women both on and behind the camera who are helping shape the film industry and inspire a new generation of talent in Saudi Arabia, Africa, and India.
The event was held at the Shangri-La in Jeddah,...
The Festival Awards night will close with the Mena Premiere of Ferrari, the new biopic from Michael Mann and starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki’s most recent film The Boy and the Heron, will screen as the Public Closing Film.
In celebration of female voices in film, the Red Sea International Film Festival (RedSeaIFF) and Vanity Fair Europe hosted the 5th Women In Cinema Dinner event this evening, shining a light on the achievements of women both on and behind the camera who are helping shape the film industry and inspire a new generation of talent in Saudi Arabia, Africa, and India.
The event was held at the Shangri-La in Jeddah,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
International execs note the quality of projects on offer and growth potential of Saudi industry
A significant number of international executives have beaten a path to the Red Sea International Film Festival’s market over the past week to explore opportunities in the rapidly growing Saudi film market.
The Souk took place for four busy days from December 2-5. All the major Saudi players were on the ground, firming up its reputation as the place to learn about the local industry and to strike up relationships.
Red Sea managing director Shivani Pandya Malhotra said industry accreditation was up by 10% on last year,...
A significant number of international executives have beaten a path to the Red Sea International Film Festival’s market over the past week to explore opportunities in the rapidly growing Saudi film market.
The Souk took place for four busy days from December 2-5. All the major Saudi players were on the ground, firming up its reputation as the place to learn about the local industry and to strike up relationships.
Red Sea managing director Shivani Pandya Malhotra said industry accreditation was up by 10% on last year,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
“This really is soup to nuts - everything when it comes to doing a production on the ground,” says Mbc Studios’s Christina Wayne.
Mbc Studios, the production arm of Middle East broadcaster Mbc Group, has started offering production services to films and TV shows looking to shoot in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh-based Mbc Studios Production is already working with two non-mbc films and a Korean TV series that are considering shooting in Saudi Arabia.
Given Saudi’s nascent industry, one of the key challenges for incoming productions is sourcing local talent and navigating legal, financial and business affairs. Productions looking...
Mbc Studios, the production arm of Middle East broadcaster Mbc Group, has started offering production services to films and TV shows looking to shoot in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh-based Mbc Studios Production is already working with two non-mbc films and a Korean TV series that are considering shooting in Saudi Arabia.
Given Saudi’s nascent industry, one of the key challenges for incoming productions is sourcing local talent and navigating legal, financial and business affairs. Productions looking...
- 12/6/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Mbc Studios is developing a series adaptation of popular Saudi writer Osamah Almuslim’s best-selling debut horror novel Khawf (Fear).
It is the second work by Almuslim to be adapted by the high-end production arm of Riyadh-based media giant Mbc Group, after his fantasy Rise Of The Witches about two rival covens in ancient Arabia.
The work revolves around a studious young man who is given a book about the existence of a second world by a mysterious sheikh, the reading of which sets in motion a series of terrifying events.
Zeinab Abu Alsamh, who is general manager of the Saudi arm of Mbc Studios, announced the project in an industry panel on different aspects of developing IP at the Red Film Festival.
“It’s a very exciting project and has a very, very, very big fan base. That’s what make it exciting and scary at the same time,...
It is the second work by Almuslim to be adapted by the high-end production arm of Riyadh-based media giant Mbc Group, after his fantasy Rise Of The Witches about two rival covens in ancient Arabia.
The work revolves around a studious young man who is given a book about the existence of a second world by a mysterious sheikh, the reading of which sets in motion a series of terrifying events.
Zeinab Abu Alsamh, who is general manager of the Saudi arm of Mbc Studios, announced the project in an industry panel on different aspects of developing IP at the Red Film Festival.
“It’s a very exciting project and has a very, very, very big fan base. That’s what make it exciting and scary at the same time,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
We’ve had genies of the playful, wish-granting “Thief of Baghdad” type, and more recently quite a number of evil djinn in horror movies. But it’s hard to recall a prior screen portrait of the same malleable Arabic mythological creatures quite like “Hwjn,” which takes the cuddlesome, anthropomorphic “They’re just like us, only magical!” view of Pixar animations and such in depicting modern-day jinn (the term’s more accurate translation) who invisibly live alongside humans.
Yasir Alyasiri’s visually appealing fantasy, which kicked off the Red Sea Film Fest, is at times too innocuous in tone and pedestrian in story ideas. But it’s nonetheless a slick, pleasant diversion that should attract viewers eager for an approximation of CGI-heavy western family entertainments, albeit with up-front Arabic cultural and Muslim religious emphases. The Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates coproduction opens commercially in S.A. on Jan. 4.
Drawn from sci-fi author...
Yasir Alyasiri’s visually appealing fantasy, which kicked off the Red Sea Film Fest, is at times too innocuous in tone and pedestrian in story ideas. But it’s nonetheless a slick, pleasant diversion that should attract viewers eager for an approximation of CGI-heavy western family entertainments, albeit with up-front Arabic cultural and Muslim religious emphases. The Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates coproduction opens commercially in S.A. on Jan. 4.
Drawn from sci-fi author...
- 12/5/2023
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival is midway through its third edition, running November 30 to December 9 in the palatial surroundings of the seafront Ritz Carlton in the port city of Jeddah.
This year’s edition came together against the backdrop of the geopolitical tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas Conflict as well as the tail-end of the Actors’ Strike.
These challenges do not appear to have dented the line-up of films or the roster of local, regional and international guests making the trip to Jeddah. A-listers have also been hitting the red carpet with Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Zoe Saldana, Halle Berry, Chris Hemsworth and Gwyneth Paltrow among those putting in an appearance.
The edition is showcasing around 90 features, 20 shorts and four TV series hailing from more than 70 territories, ranging from big U.S. titles such as Ferrari and Origin to buzzy local films with international breakthrough potential such as Mandoob and Norah.
This year’s edition came together against the backdrop of the geopolitical tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas Conflict as well as the tail-end of the Actors’ Strike.
These challenges do not appear to have dented the line-up of films or the roster of local, regional and international guests making the trip to Jeddah. A-listers have also been hitting the red carpet with Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Zoe Saldana, Halle Berry, Chris Hemsworth and Gwyneth Paltrow among those putting in an appearance.
The edition is showcasing around 90 features, 20 shorts and four TV series hailing from more than 70 territories, ranging from big U.S. titles such as Ferrari and Origin to buzzy local films with international breakthrough potential such as Mandoob and Norah.
- 12/4/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Update — 2:34 pm Pst: The U.S. Central Command has confirmed that four attacks were carried out against three commercial ships in the Red Sea today. Yemen’s Houthi rebel militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,” the U.S. Central Command said in a statement. “They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world. We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran.”
The three commercial ships identified in the statement are the Bahamas-flagged, UK-owned Unity Explorer, the Number 9, a Panamanian-flagged container ship, and Sophie II, which is also registered in Panama.
This afternoon’s statement concluded: “The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”
Previous Story — 8:29 am...
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,” the U.S. Central Command said in a statement. “They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world. We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran.”
The three commercial ships identified in the statement are the Bahamas-flagged, UK-owned Unity Explorer, the Number 9, a Panamanian-flagged container ship, and Sophie II, which is also registered in Panama.
This afternoon’s statement concluded: “The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”
Previous Story — 8:29 am...
- 12/3/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The actor gave an in-conversation event at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Will Smith has confirmed he is making a sequel to his 2007 sci-fi I Am Legend, and is working on the script with Michael B. Jordan; while the US actor also addressed his controversial Oscars slap at the 2022 ceremony.
Speaking at an in-conversation session at Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Smith said, ”I have a call with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow. The script just came in… I’m probably giving away too much information…”
Smith said that, while his character Robert Neville dies at the end of the first film,...
Will Smith has confirmed he is making a sequel to his 2007 sci-fi I Am Legend, and is working on the script with Michael B. Jordan; while the US actor also addressed his controversial Oscars slap at the 2022 ceremony.
Speaking at an in-conversation session at Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Smith said, ”I have a call with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow. The script just came in… I’m probably giving away too much information…”
Smith said that, while his character Robert Neville dies at the end of the first film,...
- 12/2/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The actor gave an in-conversation event at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Will Smith has confirmed he is working on a sequel to his 2007 sci-fi I Am Legend, and is working on the script with Michael B. Jordan.
Speaking at an in conversation session at Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Smith said, ”I have a call with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow. The script just came in… I’m probably giving away too much information…”
Smith said that, while his character Robert Neville dies at the end of the first film, the DVD extras contained an alternative ending...
Will Smith has confirmed he is working on a sequel to his 2007 sci-fi I Am Legend, and is working on the script with Michael B. Jordan.
Speaking at an in conversation session at Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Smith said, ”I have a call with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow. The script just came in… I’m probably giving away too much information…”
Smith said that, while his character Robert Neville dies at the end of the first film, the DVD extras contained an alternative ending...
- 12/2/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The actor gave an in-conversation event at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Will Smith has confirmed he is working on a sequel to his 2007 sci-fi I Am Legend, and is working on the script with Michael B. Jordan.
Speaking at an in conversation session at Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Smith said, ”I have a call with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow. The script just came in… I’m probably giving away too much information…”
Smith said that, while his character Robert Neville dies at the end of the first film, the DVD extras contained an alternative ending...
Will Smith has confirmed he is working on a sequel to his 2007 sci-fi I Am Legend, and is working on the script with Michael B. Jordan.
Speaking at an in conversation session at Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Smith said, ”I have a call with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow. The script just came in… I’m probably giving away too much information…”
Smith said that, while his character Robert Neville dies at the end of the first film, the DVD extras contained an alternative ending...
- 12/2/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The third edition of the market comes as Saudi emerges as an increasingly important player in the international industry
The Saudi industry is setting out its stall to local and international execs arriving at the Red Sea International Film Festival’s market, the Red Sea Souk, which opens today (December 2).
Many of the country’s leading players are exhibiting in the Souk, including exhibitor / producers muvi Cinemas and Vox Cinemas, media hubs Neom and AlUla, producers Telfaz11 and Mbc Studios, distributor CineWaves Films through to production services outfit Yellow Camel Studios, vfx specialist Hecat Studios and industry organisations the Saudi...
The Saudi industry is setting out its stall to local and international execs arriving at the Red Sea International Film Festival’s market, the Red Sea Souk, which opens today (December 2).
Many of the country’s leading players are exhibiting in the Souk, including exhibitor / producers muvi Cinemas and Vox Cinemas, media hubs Neom and AlUla, producers Telfaz11 and Mbc Studios, distributor CineWaves Films through to production services outfit Yellow Camel Studios, vfx specialist Hecat Studios and industry organisations the Saudi...
- 12/2/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
For the first time in its history, the Red Sea Film Festival opened with an Arab film, the world premiere of Yasir Al-Yasiri’s fantasy epic “Hwjn.”
Speaking with Variety the morning after the film’s glitzy world premiere at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, Yasiri described the premiere as a “surreal” experience. “When I went up on stage, it felt like the entire five-year journey was condensed into one moment. The film was written in Jeddah, shot in Jeddah and now opened in Jeddah. I still can’t believe it. It’s a fairytale.”
When asked if he could have imagined his film opening a Saudi film festival when he first began working on the project back in 2018 — the same year the Kingdom lifted a 35-year ban on cinema — Yasiri said he perceived the film as an “opportunity” at the time, despite being uncertain of its future release in the country.
Speaking with Variety the morning after the film’s glitzy world premiere at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, Yasiri described the premiere as a “surreal” experience. “When I went up on stage, it felt like the entire five-year journey was condensed into one moment. The film was written in Jeddah, shot in Jeddah and now opened in Jeddah. I still can’t believe it. It’s a fairytale.”
When asked if he could have imagined his film opening a Saudi film festival when he first began working on the project back in 2018 — the same year the Kingdom lifted a 35-year ban on cinema — Yasiri said he perceived the film as an “opportunity” at the time, despite being uncertain of its future release in the country.
- 12/1/2023
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Sharon Stone among international guests in attendance.
The third edition of Red Sea International Film Festival opened on Thursday, November 30 with a ceremony that added local interests and humour to the standard festival event template.
Stars including Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Sharon Stone, Michelle Williams, Sofia Vergara, Diane Kruger and Ranveer Singh were in attendance at the 1,000-seat Grand Ballroom in the Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, for a one-hour ceremony prior to the world premiere of Yasir Alyasiri’s Saudi fantasy romance Hwjn. Screen’s review described the film as ”an entertaining, swashbuckling fantasy epic.”
Smith took his...
The third edition of Red Sea International Film Festival opened on Thursday, November 30 with a ceremony that added local interests and humour to the standard festival event template.
Stars including Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Sharon Stone, Michelle Williams, Sofia Vergara, Diane Kruger and Ranveer Singh were in attendance at the 1,000-seat Grand Ballroom in the Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, for a one-hour ceremony prior to the world premiere of Yasir Alyasiri’s Saudi fantasy romance Hwjn. Screen’s review described the film as ”an entertaining, swashbuckling fantasy epic.”
Smith took his...
- 12/1/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival launched its third edition on Thursday evening with a characteristically starry red carpet featuring the likes of Michelle Williams, Johnny Depp, Sharon Stone and Will Smith.
The kick-off had more of a local feel than the first two editions, however, with an Arabic-language film, the fantasy adventure Hwjn, opening the festival for the first time.
Set against the backdrop of the festival’s home city of Jeddah, the drama stars rising Saudi actor Baraa Alem, as an endearing young djinn who falls for a young woman, played by emerging actress Nour Alkhadra.
Its selection as the opening title is seen as a sign of the growing strength of the film and TV business in Saudi Arabia, just six years after the lifting of the country’s 35-year cinema ban as part of its 2030 strategy aimed at moving the economy away from oil.
Directed...
The kick-off had more of a local feel than the first two editions, however, with an Arabic-language film, the fantasy adventure Hwjn, opening the festival for the first time.
Set against the backdrop of the festival’s home city of Jeddah, the drama stars rising Saudi actor Baraa Alem, as an endearing young djinn who falls for a young woman, played by emerging actress Nour Alkhadra.
Its selection as the opening title is seen as a sign of the growing strength of the film and TV business in Saudi Arabia, just six years after the lifting of the country’s 35-year cinema ban as part of its 2030 strategy aimed at moving the economy away from oil.
Directed...
- 12/1/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival kicked off its third edition on Thursday with the world premiere of Dubai-based Iraqi director Yasir Al-Yasiri’s fantasy “Hwjn” and a glitzy red carpet featuring Will Smith, Sharon Stone, Baz Luhrmann, Ranveer Singh and a slew of Arabic stars.
Johnny Depp also posed on the red carpet and attended the opening gala, but kept a lower profile.
Depp is at the festival with Maïwenn’s Cannes-opener “Jeanne du Barry,” which was funded by the Red Sea Film Foundation. Maïwenn also made the trek to Jeddah. Depp’s relationship with the foundation now continues with his directorial effort “Modi,” a biopic about Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani also backed by the fund. The actor is scheduled to deliver an onstage conversation in the coming days.
The Israel-Hamas war that has caused cancellations of several movie celebrations across the Arab world has...
Johnny Depp also posed on the red carpet and attended the opening gala, but kept a lower profile.
Depp is at the festival with Maïwenn’s Cannes-opener “Jeanne du Barry,” which was funded by the Red Sea Film Foundation. Maïwenn also made the trek to Jeddah. Depp’s relationship with the foundation now continues with his directorial effort “Modi,” a biopic about Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani also backed by the fund. The actor is scheduled to deliver an onstage conversation in the coming days.
The Israel-Hamas war that has caused cancellations of several movie celebrations across the Arab world has...
- 11/30/2023
- by Rafa Sales Ross and Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Will Smith and Johnny Depp brought some A-list firepower to the opening night of the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.
Smith was mobbed by selfie hunters as he entered the vast and glitzy Ritz Carlton hotel in the city of Jeddah on Thursday night, dutifully posing for as many as he could (Depp chose to arrive later to less fanfare).
Baz Luhrmann, who heads the festival jury, also caused a stir on the red carpet, while other notable guests included Sharon Stone, making her second appearance at the fest after attending in 2022; Diane Kruger; Sofia Vergara; Bollywood star Ranveer Singh; Ed Westwick; and many local Saudi names.
Iraqi director Yasir Al Yasiri’s Hwjn, a jinn fantasy romance set in modern-day Jeddah, opened the festival, becoming the first local Saudi Arabian movie to be given the honor of raising the curtain.
Hwjn is...
Smith was mobbed by selfie hunters as he entered the vast and glitzy Ritz Carlton hotel in the city of Jeddah on Thursday night, dutifully posing for as many as he could (Depp chose to arrive later to less fanfare).
Baz Luhrmann, who heads the festival jury, also caused a stir on the red carpet, while other notable guests included Sharon Stone, making her second appearance at the fest after attending in 2022; Diane Kruger; Sofia Vergara; Bollywood star Ranveer Singh; Ed Westwick; and many local Saudi names.
Iraqi director Yasir Al Yasiri’s Hwjn, a jinn fantasy romance set in modern-day Jeddah, opened the festival, becoming the first local Saudi Arabian movie to be given the honor of raising the curtain.
Hwjn is...
- 11/30/2023
- by Georg Szalai and Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stuart Ford’s AGC International has picked up world rights to two Arab-produced titles, Hwjn by Yasir Al-Yasiri and To My Son by Dhafer L’abidine, ahead of their debuts at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival.
AGC nabbed Hwjn, which opens Red Sea this evening, from Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Mbc Studios, and Vox Studios. To My Son was acquired from O3 Medya and L’Abidine’s Double A Productions.
Adapted from the best-selling Young Adult fantasy novel by Ibraheem Abbas, Hwjn combines Arabian folklore elements of fantasy, blended with modern themes. Set in modern-day Jeddah, Hwjn follows the story of a kind-hearted jinn as he discovers the truth about his royal lineage. Synopsis reads: Hwjn (Baraa Alem) sets off on an epic journey to reclaim his birthright, and while battling ancient evils to maintain the harmonious balance between his world and ours, falls in love with Sawsan (Nour Alkhadra), a young medical student.
AGC nabbed Hwjn, which opens Red Sea this evening, from Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Mbc Studios, and Vox Studios. To My Son was acquired from O3 Medya and L’Abidine’s Double A Productions.
Adapted from the best-selling Young Adult fantasy novel by Ibraheem Abbas, Hwjn combines Arabian folklore elements of fantasy, blended with modern themes. Set in modern-day Jeddah, Hwjn follows the story of a kind-hearted jinn as he discovers the truth about his royal lineage. Synopsis reads: Hwjn (Baraa Alem) sets off on an epic journey to reclaim his birthright, and while battling ancient evils to maintain the harmonious balance between his world and ours, falls in love with Sawsan (Nour Alkhadra), a young medical student.
- 11/30/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
AGC Intl., the international sales and distribution arm of Stuart Ford’s fast-growing independent content studio AGC Studios, has picked up world rights from Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Mbc Studios and Vox Studios on Yasir Al Yasiri’s “Hwjn,” and from O3 Medya and Dhafer L’Abidine’s Double A Productions on L’Abidine’s “To My Son.”
Saudi fantasy romance ‘Hwjn’ will open the Red Sea Film Festival on Nov. 30, while the emotional family drama “To My Son” will premiere in Red Sea’s Arab Spectacular section.
The deals mark another significant step in AGC Studios’ drive to bringing theatrical features from the Middle East and North Africa region to global audiences. AGC has partnered with Image Nation Abu Dhabi on Arabic blockbusters “Al Kameen” and “Voy! Voy! Voy!” (with Vox), Egypt’s box-office juggernaut and selection for Academy Award consideration for best international feature. AGC is also partnered...
Saudi fantasy romance ‘Hwjn’ will open the Red Sea Film Festival on Nov. 30, while the emotional family drama “To My Son” will premiere in Red Sea’s Arab Spectacular section.
The deals mark another significant step in AGC Studios’ drive to bringing theatrical features from the Middle East and North Africa region to global audiences. AGC has partnered with Image Nation Abu Dhabi on Arabic blockbusters “Al Kameen” and “Voy! Voy! Voy!” (with Vox), Egypt’s box-office juggernaut and selection for Academy Award consideration for best international feature. AGC is also partnered...
- 11/30/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Deal furthers AGC Studios’ commitment to championing Mena region theatrical features.
AGC International has acquired world sales rights to Hwjn and To My Son on the eve of their world premieres at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Iraqi filmmaker Yasir Al Yasiri’s Saudi fantasy romance Hwjn from Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Mbc Studios and Vox Studios will open the festival today (November 30) and is adapted from the YA novel by Ibraheem Abbas.
The feature combines Arabian folklore elements with contemporary themes and takes place in modern-day Jeddah as the kind-hearted titular jinn (Baraa Alem) discovers the truth about his...
AGC International has acquired world sales rights to Hwjn and To My Son on the eve of their world premieres at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Iraqi filmmaker Yasir Al Yasiri’s Saudi fantasy romance Hwjn from Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Mbc Studios and Vox Studios will open the festival today (November 30) and is adapted from the YA novel by Ibraheem Abbas.
The feature combines Arabian folklore elements with contemporary themes and takes place in modern-day Jeddah as the kind-hearted titular jinn (Baraa Alem) discovers the truth about his...
- 11/30/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Smith and Paltrow will give individual in-conversation events about their lives and careers.
US stars Will Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow and Johnny Depp are among the A-list talent set to attend Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival (Rsiff), which gets underway in Jeddah today (November 30).
Smith, Depp and Manchester By The Sea actress Michelle Williams will all attend this evening’s opening ceremony, alongside Indian star Ranveer Singh, where the world premiere of Saudi fantasy feature Hwjn will screen as the opening film.
Smith is set to reflect on his career to date in front of a public audience...
US stars Will Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow and Johnny Depp are among the A-list talent set to attend Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival (Rsiff), which gets underway in Jeddah today (November 30).
Smith, Depp and Manchester By The Sea actress Michelle Williams will all attend this evening’s opening ceremony, alongside Indian star Ranveer Singh, where the world premiere of Saudi fantasy feature Hwjn will screen as the opening film.
Smith is set to reflect on his career to date in front of a public audience...
- 11/30/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Saudi-owned Mbc Group, the Middle East’s top broadcaster, has announced it is floating a 10% stake on the Riyadh stock exchange seeking to raise up to 831 million riyals ($222 million) in a move to boost growth and help fuel its output of high-end productions.
“Institutional and retail investors will be allowed the opportunity to acquire shares and participate in the long-term growth plans of the company and the Saudi media market,” Mbc Group said in a statement on Thursday.
Hsbc Saudi Arabia is the lead manager of the IPO that will run Nov. 30-Dec. 6 in tandem with Jp Morgan Saudi Arabia and Snb Capital, as financial advisors.
Mbc, which was launched in London in 1991, subsequently moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2002 at a time when for religion-related reasons Saudi Arabia had banned moviegoing, and entertainment in general was frowned upon by the country’s conservative leadership.
Then, in December 2017, Saudi lifted...
“Institutional and retail investors will be allowed the opportunity to acquire shares and participate in the long-term growth plans of the company and the Saudi media market,” Mbc Group said in a statement on Thursday.
Hsbc Saudi Arabia is the lead manager of the IPO that will run Nov. 30-Dec. 6 in tandem with Jp Morgan Saudi Arabia and Snb Capital, as financial advisors.
Mbc, which was launched in London in 1991, subsequently moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2002 at a time when for religion-related reasons Saudi Arabia had banned moviegoing, and entertainment in general was frowned upon by the country’s conservative leadership.
Then, in December 2017, Saudi lifted...
- 11/30/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
“Your Story, Your Festival,” is the theme for this year‘s Red Sea International Film Festival, with organizers promising “a unique and powerful platform for celebrating film, connecting cultures and expanding horizons while welcoming stories from all walks of life.”
The festival’s third edition will take place Nov. 30-Dec. 9 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Alongside an international line-up that includes Michael Mann’s Ferrari, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ava Duvernay’s Origin and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, the Red Sea festival is a showcase for new Arab cinema.
Here’s The Hollywood Reporter‘s pick of six new titles from across the region that expand the image of Arab movies, ranging from a jinn fantasy romance and a coming-of-age drama to an adventure thriller featuring a vengeance-seeking camel.
Hwjn, opening film
A local Saudi Arabian movie will raise the curtain on the Red Sea Festival for the first time this year,...
The festival’s third edition will take place Nov. 30-Dec. 9 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Alongside an international line-up that includes Michael Mann’s Ferrari, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ava Duvernay’s Origin and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, the Red Sea festival is a showcase for new Arab cinema.
Here’s The Hollywood Reporter‘s pick of six new titles from across the region that expand the image of Arab movies, ranging from a jinn fantasy romance and a coming-of-age drama to an adventure thriller featuring a vengeance-seeking camel.
Hwjn, opening film
A local Saudi Arabian movie will raise the curtain on the Red Sea Festival for the first time this year,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This year’s selection of five rising talents will be unveiled on Friday, December 1
The seventh edition of Screen International’s talent-spotting initiative Arab Stars of Tomorrow will once again launch at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (November 30-December 9).
This year’s selection of five rising talents will be unveiled on Friday, December 1 in Screen’s second Red Sea print daily and on Screendaily.com.
On Saturday, December 2 the stars will take part in a panel discussion at 2pm Ast at the festival hosted by Screen, following a breakfast reception
Arab Stars of Tomorrow celebrates Arab talent...
The seventh edition of Screen International’s talent-spotting initiative Arab Stars of Tomorrow will once again launch at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival (November 30-December 9).
This year’s selection of five rising talents will be unveiled on Friday, December 1 in Screen’s second Red Sea print daily and on Screendaily.com.
On Saturday, December 2 the stars will take part in a panel discussion at 2pm Ast at the festival hosted by Screen, following a breakfast reception
Arab Stars of Tomorrow celebrates Arab talent...
- 11/28/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Baz Luhrmann will preside over the jury for the third edition of the festival
The Red Sea International Film Festival has revealed a starry line-up of juries and honorary awardees ahead of the launch of its third edition in Jeddah on Thursday.
The jury for the main feature film competition will comprise Suicide Squad star Joel Kinnaman, Bafta-nominated actor Freida Pinto, Egyptian Grand Hotel star Amina Khalil, and Spanish actor Paz Vega, known for Sex And Lucía and The Oa. As previously announced, Elvis director Baz Luhrmann will preside over the jury.
The festival in Saudi Arabia, which is set...
The Red Sea International Film Festival has revealed a starry line-up of juries and honorary awardees ahead of the launch of its third edition in Jeddah on Thursday.
The jury for the main feature film competition will comprise Suicide Squad star Joel Kinnaman, Bafta-nominated actor Freida Pinto, Egyptian Grand Hotel star Amina Khalil, and Spanish actor Paz Vega, known for Sex And Lucía and The Oa. As previously announced, Elvis director Baz Luhrmann will preside over the jury.
The festival in Saudi Arabia, which is set...
- 11/27/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Diane Kruger, Bollywood star Ranveer Singh and Saudi actor-writer Abdullah Al-Sadhan are set to receive career honors at Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival, which has also announced its full jury roster.
Joining Baz Luhrmann, who is presiding over the main Red Sea jury, are Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman (“Suicide Squad”); Freida Pinto (“Slumdog Millionaire”); Egyptian actor Amina Khalil; (“Grand Hotel”) and Spain’s Paz Vega.
Meanwhile, Turkish-German director Fatih Akin, who directed Kruger in “In The Fade,” will be on the fest’s shorts competition jury alongside Saudi writer and film critic Hana Alomair, who is behind the Netflix Saudi Arabian original “Whispers,” and French-Moroccan actor Assad Bouab (“Call My Agent”).
Dubai-based Iraqi director Yasir Al-Yasiri’s “Hwjn” has been chosen as the opening film of Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival.
The fest’s third edition is set to kick off Nov.
Joining Baz Luhrmann, who is presiding over the main Red Sea jury, are Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman (“Suicide Squad”); Freida Pinto (“Slumdog Millionaire”); Egyptian actor Amina Khalil; (“Grand Hotel”) and Spain’s Paz Vega.
Meanwhile, Turkish-German director Fatih Akin, who directed Kruger in “In The Fade,” will be on the fest’s shorts competition jury alongside Saudi writer and film critic Hana Alomair, who is behind the Netflix Saudi Arabian original “Whispers,” and French-Moroccan actor Assad Bouab (“Call My Agent”).
Dubai-based Iraqi director Yasir Al-Yasiri’s “Hwjn” has been chosen as the opening film of Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival.
The fest’s third edition is set to kick off Nov.
- 11/27/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here bringing you the latest from around the globe as our friends in America tuck into their turkey. Sign up for the newsletter here.
Red Sea Revs Up
Shifting sands: Red Sea International Film Festival, the big Saudi Arabian film get-together, opens its third edition next Thursday in the port city of Jeddah. The event was launched in the wake of Saudi Arabia lifting of its 35-year cinema ban at the end of 2017, as part of its 2030 Vision plan aimed at moving the economy away from a reliance on oil, and has become an integral part of the country’s ambition to become the leading film and TV hub in the Mena region. But announcements on films and guests have been down to the wire this year, as the event juggles the shifting sands of the global geo-political tensions set in motion by the Israel-Hamas...
Red Sea Revs Up
Shifting sands: Red Sea International Film Festival, the big Saudi Arabian film get-together, opens its third edition next Thursday in the port city of Jeddah. The event was launched in the wake of Saudi Arabia lifting of its 35-year cinema ban at the end of 2017, as part of its 2030 Vision plan aimed at moving the economy away from a reliance on oil, and has become an integral part of the country’s ambition to become the leading film and TV hub in the Mena region. But announcements on films and guests have been down to the wire this year, as the event juggles the shifting sands of the global geo-political tensions set in motion by the Israel-Hamas...
- 11/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Films from Sofia Coppola, Ava Duvernay, John Woo and Hayao Miyazaki to be screened.
Michael Mann’s Ferrari will receive its Mena premiere as the closing night film of the 3rd Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea Iff), which has also unveiled the titles for its International Spectacular strand.
The hotly-tipped awards contender will close the festival on December 7 in the port city of Jeddah.
The film, starring Adam Driver as iconic car manufacturer Enzo Ferrari, received the backing of the Red Sea Film Foundation – the festival’s parent body – earlier this year
It received its world premiere in...
Michael Mann’s Ferrari will receive its Mena premiere as the closing night film of the 3rd Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea Iff), which has also unveiled the titles for its International Spectacular strand.
The hotly-tipped awards contender will close the festival on December 7 in the port city of Jeddah.
The film, starring Adam Driver as iconic car manufacturer Enzo Ferrari, received the backing of the Red Sea Film Foundation – the festival’s parent body – earlier this year
It received its world premiere in...
- 11/22/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival will open its third edition, running from November 30 to December 9, with local movie Hwjn, a fantasy romance combining Arabian folklore with modern themes that unfolds against the backdrop of the event’s home of Jeddah.
Deadline exclusively revealed a trailer for the production earlier this year. Watch it here.
The choice of a Saudi movie marks a break with Red Sea’s first two editions – which kicked off with English-language features Cyrano and What’s Love Got To Do With It? in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Hwjn is the most ambitious production to date to come out of a partnership between major Gulf players Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Vox Studios and Mbc Studios first announced in Cannes in 2019.
“Opening the festival with a highly anticipated film like Hwjn is a momentous event,” Rsiff Arab Programs & Film Classics Director Antoine Khalife said of the opening night honor,...
Deadline exclusively revealed a trailer for the production earlier this year. Watch it here.
The choice of a Saudi movie marks a break with Red Sea’s first two editions – which kicked off with English-language features Cyrano and What’s Love Got To Do With It? in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Hwjn is the most ambitious production to date to come out of a partnership between major Gulf players Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Vox Studios and Mbc Studios first announced in Cannes in 2019.
“Opening the festival with a highly anticipated film like Hwjn is a momentous event,” Rsiff Arab Programs & Film Classics Director Antoine Khalife said of the opening night honor,...
- 11/16/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
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