Leading Middle East exhibitor and distributor Vox Cinemas has unveiled its debut slate of original Arabic films, including a sequel to Saudi hit comedy Masameer.
Details of its debut slate come after Vox, the largest exhibitor in the MENA region, committed at last year’s Red Sea film festival to produce 25 Arabic films in five years. Vox said the line-up reaffirmed its plan to become a major player in Arabic film production.
Vox is joining forces with Sirb Productions, the sister company of Myrkott Animation Studio which was behind YouTube hit-turned-theatrical feature Masameer. They are teaming for a second live-action film, billed as a Saudi comedy from Masameer creators Abdulaziz Almuzaini and Malek Nejer.
Masameer: The Movie was distributed theatrically by Vox, and is one of the highest grossing Saudi films ever.
The slate also includes HWJN (Hawjen), an adaptation of the best-selling Saudi fantasy romance novel of the same name, directed by Yasir Al Yasiri, which is due for theatrical release next year. HWJN marks the third film from Vox Cinemas, Image Nation Abu Dhabi and MBC Studios which announced a deal at Cannes in 2019 to partner on Middle East film and TV projects.
The three companies have also joined forces on King Of The Ring, a Saudi remake of South Korean comedy drama hit The Foul King, which will be screening during the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Also slated for 2023 is Egyptian feature Voy! Voy! Voy!, a collaboration between Vox, Film Clinic and Image Nation Abu Dhabi. The film is the directorial debut of commercials director Omar Hilal. Inspired by true-life events, Voy! Voy! Voy! is a comedy drama that will feature an ensemble cast including stars such as Mohamed Farrag, Nelly Karim and Bayoumi Fouad alongside up-and-coming talent Taha Desouky, Amgad El Hagar and Mohamed Abdel Azeem.
Also on the slate is director Hadi El Bagoury’s debut feature. The Egyptian action-comedy is in partnership with The Producers, the team behind hit romantic film Hepta, as well as Sheikh Jackson and Excuse My French.
Vox has also joined forces with The Big Picture Studios, an Imagic Group company, on their debut feature. The script is the result of a writers’ workshop hosted by Vox Cinemas with new voices from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.
Vox has also signed a deal with Blue Engine Studios, established by Ziad Kebbi and Hani Ghorayeb, to develop a Saudi comedy that takes the protagonist on an international rescue mission filled with adventure, danger and bad luck.
Vox said it is also investing in development with various production companies.
Ignace Lahoud, chief executive officer of Vox parent company Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas, said: “It is an exciting time for Arabic film, which has been gaining plaudits and audiences in the region and beyond, and tends to outperform foreign films. Distinctly local productions, particularly in a nascent market like Saudi Arabia, offer an untapped and real opportunity. As the leading cinema company in the region, we are committed to growing a sustainable film industry and believe that establishing a dynamic content ecosystem is integral to achieving this goal.”
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