Through the platforms of both partners, Wadi Cinemas will drive awareness and amplify its film selection.
Saudi exhibitor Muvi Cinemas and local producer Telfaz11, who previously formed a strategic partnership to grow film production in the MENA region, have teamed up again to launch Wadi Cinema, an initiative to promote independent feature films from filmmakers throughout the MENA region and the world.
Wadi Cinema will launch as a pop-up experience at the Diriyah Biennale from December 16 until March 11, 2022, at Riyadh’s JAX District, where 63 artists’ works are being showcased. This is the first Biennale to take place in the Kingdom. Telfaz11 and Muvi Cinema hope to deliver best-in-class independent films to all areas within the Kingdom on a roving basis through this initiative.
Speaking about the launch, Sultan AlHokair, CEO of Muvi Cinemas, said: “The best way to experience cinema is in a theatre, where audiences can break away from their everyday lives to watch a filmmaker’s vision come to life. When we partnered with Telfaz11, we wanted to find unique and innovative ways to bring the experience of independent and critically acclaimed films from renowned film festivals to audiences throughout the kingdom.”
Alaa Fadan, CEO of Telfaz, added: “Wadi Cinema will focus on enhancing Saudi Arabia’s theatrical film culture by providing an alternative experience to be enjoyed by cinephiles who have sharply increased in-theatre attendance over the last few years. The venture also seeks to become a preferred destination for both domestic and international independent and mainstream art house films, while also serving as the staging grounds for the latest releases from the world’s biggest film festivals. We are keen to promote and encourage dialogue between the local film community and give independent Saudi filmmakers a voice and opportunity to showcase their work and cement it in the booming local cinema industry.”
Wadi Cinemas will drive awareness and amplify its film selection across both partners’ platforms and will leverage Telfaz11’s reach to 29m subscribers and followers across social media. The industry is expected to see an increase in local film output as soon as next year, Telfaz11 is in various phases of production on multiple projects as part of its eight-picture deal with Netflix to develop and produce a slate of films for both Arab and global audiences.
