The first film to receive approval for production within the inaugural season of the fund is 'Awlad Rizk 3'.
Turki Al Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), has inked an agreement to launch a fund with a budget of EGP 4bn, with the potential to expand to EGP 20bn, aimed at sponsoring and bolstering the production of Egyptian and Saudi films. This initiative, designed as a for-profit venture, is spearheaded by GEA as the primary sponsor, with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture serving as a co-sponsor, according to a report by Scene Now.
This is a part of the recently initiated ‘Big Time’ programme, which aims to bolster the cinema industries of Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The fund has also greenlit several other notable productions, including El Set, a biopic chronicling the life of Umm Kulthum, starring Mona Zaki and directed by Marwan Hamed. Additionally, The Blue Elephant 3, featuring Karim Abdel Aziz, She’ar Cairo starring Karim Abdel Aziz and Nancy Ajram, Lessa Hetta starring Ahmed Helmy, and Ex-Meraty starring Hisham Maged, Mohamed Mamdouh, and Amina Khalil, have all received the fund’s backing.
The list of approved films extends to include Ferqet Mot starring Ahmed Ezz, Rammah starring Aser Yassin, Kouta starring Karim Abdel Aziz, See’dy fi Al-Jame’a Al-Amrikiya 2 starring Mohamed Henedy, Al Munajjem starring Amr Youssef, and Al Bahth A’n Fadiha starring Karim Mahmoud Abdel Aziz and Hannah Al Zahed.
Covering a diverse array of genres and boasting the participation of esteemed actors, these approved films herald a promising and captivating cinematic landscape for both Egyptian and Saudi audiences in the near future.
