MBC Studios Unveils New Saudi Film and TV Slate at Cannes
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MBC Studios, the production arm of the Middle East's largest media company, announced a new lineup of Saudi film and television projects at the Cannes Film Festival. The slate includes horror, fantasy, and comedy projects, with several slated for production and release this year. This signals continued investment in the growing Saudi entertainment industry.
Facts First
- Announced a new slate of Saudi film and TV projects during the Cannes Film Festival.
- The horror film 'Travellers’ Hell' is slated for MENA theatrical release this year, directed by Hana Al Omair and based on a book by Saudi author Osamah Almuslim.
- Plans to adapt Almuslim’s novel 'Spider’s Web' into a feature film, with production expected to begin in late 2026.
- Confirmed a Saudi comedy co-produced with Telfaz11 will begin production by year's end, marking the first feature from that partnership.
- Managing director Samar Akrouk spoke on an Arab cinema panel at Cannes in collaboration with the Arab Cinema Center and the Marché du Film.
What Happened
MBC Studios announced a new lineup of Saudi film and television projects during the Cannes Film Festival. The slate includes the horror film 'Travellers’ Hell', slated for theatrical release in the MENA region this year. The studio is also adapting author Osamah Almuslim’s horror novel 'Spider’s Web' into a feature film, with production expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. A Saudi comedy, which will be MBC Studios' first feature co-produced with Telfaz11, is confirmed to begin production by the end of this year.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a viewer in the MENA region, you may see more locally produced horror, fantasy, and comedy films in theaters and on streaming platforms in the coming years. This expansion of content could provide more entertainment options that reflect regional stories and talent. For those in the global film industry, the announcements highlight Saudi Arabia as a growing market and source of production, which could lead to more international collaborations.
What's Next
The horror film 'Travellers’ Hell' is expected to be released in MENA theaters this year. Production on the Saudi comedy co-produced with Telfaz11 is planned to start by the end of 2024. Development on the 'Spider’s Web' film adaptation will continue, aiming for a production start in late 2026. Further projects from the announced slate, including the fantasy series 'Khawf' and the action-comedy 'Mafiosos', are also likely to move forward in development.