MBC Group Becomes Principal Partner of Red Sea International Film Festival

MBC GROUP, the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has confirmed it has signed on as the Principal Sponsor of the 2025 Red Sea International Film Festival. The partnership aims to share the best of the festival with the Arab world and beyond.

The sponsorship agreement includes MBC broadcasting both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Festival on MBC1, MBC MASR, and MBC IRAQ, as well as on the streaming platform Shahid. Additionally, MBC STUDIOS, MBC TALENT, and MBC ACADEMY will run a series of activations throughout the event.

A special highlight of the collaboration will be a Gala Screening of Desert Warrior, an action-filled epic feature film produced by MBC STUDIOS and JB Pictures.

The film is set in 7th century Arabia and features an all-star cast led by Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, and Academy Award® winner Sir Ben Kingsley, alongside Ghassan Massoud, Sharlto Copley, and Sami Bouajila. The epic was filmed in NEOM and TABUK in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is helmed by British director Rupert Wyatt from a screenplay he co-penned with Erica Beeney and David Self.

Samar Akrouk, General Manager MBC STUDIOS, commented that the partnership "reflects a shared belief in the power of our stories," stating: “Our region carries extraordinary depth and diversity, and together we are bringing those voices forward with pride, with purpose, and with a genuine desire to connect with audiences around the world.”

Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, stated that the renewal of the partnership will enable them to bring Arab and international stories to a wider audience, while offering filmmakers a platform that reflects the depth and impact of their creativity.

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