Saudi-owned production powerhouse MBC Studios has forged a multi-project partnership with fast rising Saudi studio Telefaz11, the label behind wrestling comedy “Sattar,” which has scored record-breaking results at the home box office.
Telfaz11 Studios, which is a pioneering Saudi company, is known for smart edgy movies. Besides “Sattar,” these also include groundbreaking satirical drama “Mandoob,” about a struggling man who becomes a bootleg alcohol dealer, which is the biggest Arabic-language film at the Saudi box office this year. A more recent Telfaz title is “Saify,” another social satire, directed by the studio’s chief Wael Abu Mansour and set against the backdrop of the late 1990s. It involves a man who runs a cassette shop that sells banned bootlegged religious sermons. “Saify” is premiering at the Red Sea Film Festival where the agreement was announced.
Details of projects in the partnership are being kept under wraps, besides the fact that they will “capture the richness of Saudi culture and resonate deeply with audiences across the region,” according to a statement. They will also “aim to nurture Saudi talent, drive creativity, and contribute to the growth of the region’s film and television industries,” the statement added.
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For MBC Studios, which is the studio arm of MBC Group, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the partnership with Telfaz11 will allow MBC to tap into “a treasure trove of authentic Saudi stories,” said Hana Al Omair, Saudi director and creative director at the studios. “I look forward to us exploring bold ideas, nurturing emerging talent, and crafting productions that speak to the heart of Saudi culture, captivating and inspiring viewers far beyond the kingdom’s borders,” she added.
Commented Wael Abu Mansour: “Collaborating with MBC Studios allows us to expand on our success, combining our creative vision with their expertise to deliver even more compelling content.”
“Together, we aim to elevate Saudi storytelling and create a dynamic slate of films and series that entertain, inspire and resonate with audiences across the region,” he added.