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Stars: Paul Marlon, Aaron Sidwell, Charlene Aldridge, May Jones, Stanley Clarke, Tia Owomoyela, Jake Canuso, Alana Wallace, Jay James, Sam Anthony, Otto Jäger, Dan Richardson, Cynthia Rothrock, Eric Roberts, Joseph Millson | Written and Directed by Paul Knight

Fyre Rises is the story of Richard Fyre who was once a killer in the employ of a clandestine agency of some kind. But after a mission against Russian sex traffickers went badly wrong, he turned pacifist. So much so that when Priest offers him a job that would get him out of debt, he turns it down. And when several of his goons turn up to get him to reconsider, he refuses to defend himself.

But since Priest, like everyone else, has seen a few action films, he knows what to do. He threatens Fyre’s family. His wife Maddie, daughter Abbey (May Jones), and son Connor (Stanley Clarke) instead. That gets results,...

The Mediterrane Film Festival announced its complete program ahead of its second edition, taking place in Malta’s capital of Valetta from June 22-30. New titles selected include recent Cannes highlights in Coralie Fargeat’s Demi Moore-led body horror “The Substance” and Roberto Minvervini’s “The Damned,” which join previously announced films like Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Kinds of Kindness” and Jane Schoenbrun’s “I Saw The TV Glow.”

Further program additions include Mahdi Fleifel’s Directors’ Fortnight standout “To a Land Unknown,” which Variety labeled “a confident, angry, fully-realized drama,” and Truong Minh Quy’s Un Certain Regard breakout “Viet and Nam.” An extended version of the Malta-shot “Jurassic World: Dominion” will play as part of the Malta Expanded strand, while on the retrospective end of the program, the festival will honor David Bowie with screenings of Nicolas Roeg’s “The Man Who Fell to Earth” and Lisa Azuelos’s “My Way,...

The Mediterrane Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its second edition (June 22-30), with Cannes premiere The Count Of Monte Cristo set to open the event.

Scroll down for the full line-up

Directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, the film is among seven titles in the out of competition strand, which also includes Jane Schoenbrun’s Sundance title I Saw The TV Glow and Tarsem Singh’s Dear Jassi.

The 15-strong competition section features Cannes competition titles Kinds Of Kindness and The Substance, and Berlin premiere The Strangers case starring Omar Sy,

Seven films compete in the environment-themed Mare Nostrum section,...

Malta’s Mediterrane Film Festival has set the full competition and industry lineup for its second edition, which runs June 22 to 30 in the country’s capital, Valletta.

The programme includes 15 films in competition, seven out-of-competition, and seven films competing in the environment-themed Mare Nostrum section, topped up by 14 immersive projects.

Select competition titles include Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest Kinds of Kindness, Coralie Fargeat’s body horror The Substance, and The Damned by Italian filmmaker Roberto Minvervini. All three films debuted at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Scroll down to see the full lineup. Deadpool and Terminator: Dark Fate director Tim Miller will serve on the competition jury.

The festival has also set its industry lineup, featuring a series of masterclass sessions. Speakers include editor Yorgos Mavropsaridis, production designer Nathan Crowley, casting director Margery Simkin, and composer Simon Franglen...

AGC Intl., the international sales and distribution arm of Stuart Ford’s fast-growing independent content studio AGC Studios, has picked up world rights from Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Mbc Studios and Vox Studios on Yasir Al Yasiri’s “Hwjn,” and from O3 Medya and Dhafer L’Abidine’s Double A Productions on L’Abidine’s “To My Son.”

Saudi fantasy romance ‘Hwjn’ will open the Red Sea Film Festival on Nov. 30, while the emotional family drama “To My Son” will premiere in Red Sea’s Arab Spectacular section.

The deals mark another significant step in AGC Studios’ drive to bringing theatrical features from the Middle East and North Africa region to global audiences. AGC has partnered with Image Nation Abu Dhabi on Arabic blockbusters “Al Kameen” and “Voy! Voy! Voy!” (with Vox), Egypt’s box-office juggernaut and selection for Academy Award consideration for best international feature. AGC is also partnered...

Stuart Ford’s AGC International has taken global rights outside the Middle East and Pakistan to “Voy! Voy! Voy!,” the hit dramedy about a group of impoverished Egyptians who join a professional blind soccer team as a ploy to get to Europe. The film is Egypt’s candidate for the international film Oscar.

“Voy! Voy! Voy!,” which marks the directorial debut of hotshot Egyptian commercials director Omar Hilal, is the tale of a financially struggling security guard named Hassan, who dreams of a better life. One day he stumbles upon the professional sport of blind soccer and cunningly decides to pose as a visually impaired man to join a team that is close to playing a World Cup tournament in Europe. On this journey, Omar intersects with several characters, including a female journalist who begins to take an interest in the team.

The dramedy is inspired by true events. In...

"You've gotta be alive to have he scoop of a lifetime." Relativity has debuted an official trailer for an action comedy movie titled Freelance, the latest from French action filmmaker Pierre Morel. Set to open in theaters nationwide this October. An ex special forces operator takes a job to provide security for a journalist as she interviews a dictator, but, a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview with the suave dictator. They are forced to escape into the jungle where they must survive and figure out how to escape. This sounds a lot like so many other movies recently, mainly The Lost City or Shotgun Wedding. John Cena and Alison Brie star with Juan Pablo Raba, Alice Eve, Marton Csokas, and Christian Slater. It was shot in Colombia early last year. This doesn't look so bad, mainly because I think Cena is hilarious, handling all his action and comedy quite well.

Exclusive: Saban Films has taken worldwide rights to action-thriller Hellfire, starring Stephen Lang, Harvey Keitel and Dolph Lundgren here at the European Film Market.

The title, which is directed by Isaac Florentine and written by Richard Lowry, follows a drifter (Lang) with a mysterious past who arrives in a small town and finds the residents in the grip of a ruthless crime boss and realizes he has to help them.

Currently in post-production, Hellfire is produced by Sasha Yelaun, Robert Paschall Jr, Daniel Lief, and Johnny Remo. It’s executive produced by Dominic Burns, Rob Simmons, Ante Novakovic, Jeff Miller, Ronnie D. Lee, Sterling Griffin, Adam Sigal, B.I. Rosen, Frederic Demey, Grant Palmer, Krystyna Swiecka, Cecil Chambers, Seth Sklar, Keli Price, Jenny Shakeshaft, Brian Katz, Thomas Zambeck, Matthew Ianniello Jr, Mehrdad Moayedi, Chad Oliver and Ryan Hicks.

The deal was negotiated by Shanan Becker for Saban Films and Sasha Yelaun.

Saban Films has picked up the North American rights to Scandinavian thriller Good Boy from Blue Finch Films.

Written and directed by Viljar Boe (Til Freddy), the film stars Gard Lokke (Troll), Katrine Lovise Opstad Fredriksen in her feature film debut and Amalie Willoch Njaastad (Cabin Crazy). Saban is targeting a third-quarter theatrical release.

Good Boy, which premiered to acclaim at Beyond Fest in 2022, follows Sigrid, who thinks she’s met the perfect match in Christian until she comes to find out that he lives with a man who acts like his pet dog. She soon notices that there is an insidious side to Christian…maybe “puppy play” isn’t as innocent as it seems.

The film is produced by Marie Waade Gronning, Ane Marie Sletten and Karl Oskar Asli, and executive produced by Darren Gaskell and Nicolai Narvesen Lied. The deal was negotiated by Steve Break on behalf of...

Saban Films has acquired the U.S., U.K. and other international rights to Jean-Claude Van Damme action-spy thriller “Darkness of Man.”

Directed by James Cullen Bressack, the film sees Van Damme playing Interpol operative Russell Hatch, who witnesses the death of his last informant in a routine raid gone wrong. Years later, he takes on a father figure role to the son of the informant, and finds himself protecting the boy from a group of merciless gangs in an all-out turf war.

Alongside the U.S. and U.K., Saban Films has picked up Australian/New Zealand, African, Spanish and Scandinavian territory rights to the film, which also stars Kristanna Loken (“Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”), Peter Jae (“Blackhat”), Spencer Breslin (“The Kid”), Emerson Min (“Black-ish”) and rapper Sticky Fingaz.

The film is written by Alethea Cho and Cullen Bressack and based on an original story by Cullen Bressack and Van Damme.

Vox Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, is proud to report that Yash Raj Films’ Pathaan has broken box office records to become the highest-grossing Hindi film in Saudi Arabia. The action thriller sold an impressive 26,159 tickets on opening day, 67,428 tickets over opening weekend (three days) and a total of 88,840 tickets (including Wednesday), marking the biggest opening weekend in Saudi Arabia so far this year.

Pathaan marks Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback after a four-year hiatus and has been one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2023. It has been released theatrically in over 100 countries, making it the widest release ever for an Indian film internationally. Produced by Yash Raj Films, Pathaan is being distributed across Saudi Arabia by Vox Cinemas and Yash Raj Films.

“Pathaan has enjoyed a blockbuster opening weekend, breaking box office records for a Hindi film in Saudi Arabia. Since advance...

The Ambush Trailer — Pierre Morel‘s The Ambush / Al Kameen (2021) movie trailer has been released by Saban Films. The Ambush trailer stars Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Khalifa Al Jassem, Mohammed Ahmed, Mansoor Alfeeli, Khalifa Albahri, and Ibrahim Almusharaakh. Crew Brandon Birtell and Kurtis Birtell wrote the screenplay for The Ambush. “Produced by Derek [...]

Continue reading: The Ambush (2021) Movie Trailer: A Commander Strives to Save His Men in Pierre Morel’s Action Movie...

"How long before backup arrives?" Saban Films has debuted a new US trailer for a "high-octane foreign action film" titled The Ambush, directed by French action filmmaker Pierre Morel - of District B13, Taken, From Paris with Love, The Gunman, and Peppermint previously. It's based on a true story about soldiers from the UAE. In 2018, during the Yemen War, Emirati Armed Forces soldiers based in Mocha are deployed on a mission. In the middle of a routine patrol, they are ambushed in a valley by rebel combatants. Their commander leads a daring mission to rescue them. It was already released last year in the UAE, and will be out in the US this November on VOD. The military action film stars Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Khalifa Al Jassem, Mohammed Ahmed, Mansoor Alfeeli, Khalifa Albahri, & Ibrahim Almusharaakh. This looks like every other American military action movie, just set in the UAE - same uniforms,...

Distributor brokered deal with Film Bridge International.

Saban Films has acquired worldwide rights to Battle For Saipan in an off-festival deal announced at TIFF and will release on November 25.

Casper Van Dien, Jeff Fahey and Louis Mandylor star in the story of a Second World War field surgeon in the Pacific forced to flee through a minefield with a wounded American soldier following a hospital evacuation.

Brandon Slagle directed and Daemon Hillin from Hillin Entertainment served as producer. Executive producers include Randall J. Bacon, Jeff Bowler, Carolina Brasil, James Cullen Bressack, Danny R. Carmona, Stien Davis, Jordan Dykstra, Fahey, Jeff Goldberg,...

Distributor brokered deal with Film Bridge International.

Saban Films has acquired worldwide rights to Battle For Saipan in an off-festival deal announced at TIFF and will release on November 25.

Casper Van Dien, Jeff Fahey and Louis Mandylor star in the story of a Second World War field surgeon in the Pacific forced to flee through a minefield with a wounded American soldier following a hospital evacuation.

Brandon Slagle directed and Daemon Hillin from Hillin Entertainment served as producer. Executive producers include Randall J. Bacon, Jeff Bowler, Carolina Brasil, James Cullen Bressack, Danny R. Carmona, Stien Davis, Jordan Dykstra, Fahey, Jeff Goldberg,...

It is the debut feature of Canadian-Haitian director Charles.

UK grassroots collective T A P E is moving into theatrical distribution, with the release of its first title, Miryam Charles’ debut Cette Maison.

T A P E was founded in 2015 by Isra Al Kassi and Angela Moneke, and curates screening events which respond to the lack of representation on screen. Al Kassi is also head of programmes and audience development at Birds’ Eye View, a UK organisation that campaigns to support women and non-binary people in all aspects of film.

The film was acquired from Berlin-based sales agent Oyster Films.

Exclusive: Saban Films has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to AGC International and Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s action picture The Ambush and set an October release for the Emirati production which marks its first non-English language acquisition.

The film, directed by French action maestro Pierre Morel (Taken), is the United Arab Emirates’ most ambitious and theatrically successful production to date. Released at home last November across 185 screens, it went on to become the highest-grossing Arabic-language film ever in the country.

Saban Films is planning a theatrical launch on October 28, ahead of an on-demand and digital release on November 1.

Based on a real-life event, the drama revolves around a daring mission to rescue three UAE soldiers after their armored vehicle is attacked by heavy enemy gunfire and they become trapped in a remote canyon.

The all-Emirati lead cast features Omar Bin Haider, Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Mohammed Ahmed, Mansoor Alfeeli and Khalifa Albahri.

Vox Cinemas, the highest-grossing exhibitor in West Asia, where it operates more than 600 screens, will focus on diversification next, while also continuing its geographical expansion plan, says Ignace Lahoud, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Leisure (Maf), Entertainment and Cinemas, which operates Vox.

“In the last two or three years, most of our growth has been focused on building and opening cinemas in Saudi Arabia. We intend to continue expanding there, although probably not at the same pace.”

Several analysts, including PwC, see Saudi as becoming a billion-dollar movie market.

Variety is honoring Vox with its Achievement in Intl. Exhibition Award. The company, operating in eight countries, is optimistic about its future in such markets as Kuwait and Egypt, with plans to bring cinema to rural areas and provide an affordable experience.

However, looking for new ways to diversify cinema-going experience continues to be an integral part of Vox’s business strategy.

Mega-budget epic Desert Warrior, starring Anthony Mackie and Aiysha Hart, has been a big talking point here in Jeddah this week as it nears wrapping production in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk. The $150M 7th Century-set action title marks not only the biggest production to shoot in the Ksa since it lifted its ban on cinemas four years ago but it also represents a major collaboration between creative and financial models in the region and Hollywood talent.

“I think Desert Warrior is something of a statement movie, certainly on behalf of the Saudi film industry, but actually the entire Arab-speaking region,” AGC Studios’ Stuart Ford told delegates at a panel at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Wednesday. AGC Studios is producing the film with Jb Pictures and Mbc Studios, the in-house production arm of leading Mena media company Mbc Group. The project is also the first tentpole-sized project to...

Vox Cinemas, the Middle East’s largest exhibition chain, has unveiled an ambitious plan to produce 25 Arabic movies in the next five years. The announcement was made at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, where Vox Cinemas is the exclusive cinema partner.

Vox Cinemas, which is owned by Emirati businessman and retail mogul Majid Al Futtaim, says the move is part of the company’s wider commitment to boost homegrown film production and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission’s recently launched strategy to develop the country’s burgeoning cinema sector.

As part of the initiative, Vox Cinemas will continue to support the next generation of homegrown content developers and provide resources for emerging filmmakers to bring their scripts to screen. Vox previously provided mentorship to Saudi production company Myrkott, which saw local and regional success with its recent animated release Masameer.

Ignace Lahoud, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Leisure,...

Exclusive: Pierre Morel-directed action movie Al Kameen (The Ambush) has just become the highest-grossing Emirati or Arabic-language film ever in the UAE after posting a mammoth opening weekend relative to the market.

The big-budget movie, which is a co-production between AGC International and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, scored 101,000 cinema admissions between November 25 and November 29, making it the fifth largest opening this year in the UAE, behind only Fast 9, Venom 2, No Time to Die and Godzilla vs Kong. It has logged another 22,000 admissions since then.

Vox Distribution is releasing the movie, which stars an all-Emirati lead cast and was filmed in the UAE.

One of the largest ever Arabic-language features shot in the Gcc, the movie had its world premiere at Vox Cinemas Yas Mall, which was attended by director Morel (Taken), producers Derek Dauchy and Jennifer Roth (Black Swan), and the cast, alongside the...

AGC International, the sales arm of Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios, and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, which is the UAE’s top production entity, have unveiled the first trailer for upcoming action film, “Al Kameen” (The Ambush), touted as the largest Arabic-language feature film production ever shot in the Gulf.

“The Ambush,” which reconstructs the true story of an attempt to rescue a small group of Emirati soldiers trapped by rebel fighters in a mountainous valley, has a 400-member crew and cast, the leads being all Emirati. Pic was shot entirely in the UAE and stars Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Khalifa Al Jassem and Mohammed Ahmed.

“The Ambush” was co-produced by AGC Studios and Image Nation Abu Dhabi and directed by Pierre Morel. The producers are Derek Dauchy and Jennifer Roth. The film was written by Brandon Birtell (“Furious 7”) and Kurtis Birtell in close consultation with the soldiers involved in...

First Teaser For UAE-Shot Pierre Morel Action Pic

AGC International and Image Nation Abu Dhabi have unveiled a slick first teaser trailer for Al Kameen (The Ambush), about the rescue mission of a small group of Emirati soldiers trapped by rebel fighters in a mountainous valley. According to producers, the film is the largest Arabic-language film ever made in the Gulf, with 400 cast and crew including an all-Emirati lead cast. Pic was shot entirely in the UAE and stars Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Khalifa Al Jassem and Mohammed Ahmed. The film was co-produced by AGC Studios and Image Nation Abu Dhabi and directed by Pierre Morel (Taken), with producers Derek Dauchy and Jennifer Roth (Black Swan). Pic was written by Brandon Birtell (Furious 7) and Kurtis Birtell (Medal of Honour) in consultation with the soldiers involved in the real-life 2018 ambush situation that inspired the plot. Image Nation...