O3 Productions and Image Nation to co-finance and co-produce a slate of Saudi films for local UAE, regional and international audiences.
O3 Productions, the drama and film production arm of MBC Group and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, have announced a new partnership to co-finance and co-produce a slate of Saudi films for local, regional and international audiences.
Though Image Nation and MBC/O3 are keeping specific details of the four new feature projects under wraps, genres are likely to include action, thriller, real-life dramas and comedies. Projects will aim to film in Saudi and utilise Saudi talent in front of and behind the camera. Development has begun on all projects, with production set to commence in 2019.
This new deal comes in the wake of the first cinemas in two generations opening in Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announcing itself open for business for filmmakers from Saudi, the Arab world and internationally.
The country has a big presence at this years Cannes Film festival with The Saudi Film Council in town for the first time this year along with a Saudi Film Pavilion at the Marche du Film and a selection of Saudi short films showing as part of the festivals industry programme. The Saudi Film Council has also announced a generous production rebate as a means to attract international productions to film in the Kingdom.
Commenting on this initiative, Fadi Ismail, Group Director of O3 Productions said: There is so much to be done in this brave new world and we believe in collaboration with those who have same ambitions and vision. Image Nation is a trusted and established player in the film industry and we have joined forces to launch a slate of Saudi films that will promote Saudi storytelling and talents. MBC group and its Drama and film production arm are keen to push of Saudi storytelling in drama and films qualitatively and quantitatively to new heights and create content that not only is captivating to a Saudi and regional viewers, but can travel globally and and help in changing the image of KSA into an active player in international entertainment industry.
Michael Garin, Chief Executive Officer of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, said: This is an incredibly exciting moment for the regional film and television industry. Image Nation is committed to developing a sustainable local industry that creates world-quality entertainment to engage audiences across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. This collaboration with MBC and O3 is another significant step towards this vision.
Ben Ross, Head of Narrative Film and Television at Image Nation, commented: As Saudi Arabia begins a new chapter in its cinematic history, this exciting partnership between Image Nation, MBC and O3 will showcase the very best Saudi filmmaking talent in front of and behind the camera. We are one of the first foreign companies investing in Saudi content and are looking forward to introducing new Saudi talent to local, regional and global audiences. Were delighted to be working with the multi-talented Fahad Al Butairi again on Love Above the Law. This deal really underscores Image Nation and MBCs shared commitment to producing high-quality Arab language film and television projects for the Arab world.
Saudi comedian and writer Fahad Al Butairi, who previously collaborated with Image Nation on From A to B and the upcoming Rashid and Rajab, is also writing a new project entitled Love Above the Law which will fall under the new deal. The film is a comedy about a middle class Saudi man marrying a girl from the Badiya, the rural community, and the two discovering they actually have a lot in common.
This MBC/O3 Saudi deal follows on from the previous film and TV deal that MBC and Image Nation announced last year.
Under that deal, O3 and Image Nation are currently in advanced development on the feature film adaptation of Saudi pop culture smash HWJN, about a devout God-fearing Jinn who forges a special bond with a talented Saudi female medical student.
Emirati filmmaker Majid Al-Ansari, who previously directed Image Nations Zinzana and has served as executive producer on a number of Image Nations other projects will direct the film, which will commence shooting in the Autumn this year. An extensive casting search in Saudi Arabia is currently underway for the leads in the film and casting will be announced in due course.
A spin-off TV series The Delusionists which also has a unique take on modern Saudi and Arab society will also go into production back-to-back with the film.
