MBC STUDIOS presents Desert Warrior in it’s first regional premiere
MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has signed on as the Principal Sponsor of the 2025 Red Sea International Film Festival to help share the best of the festival with the Arab world and beyond.
The sponsorship will see MBC broadcast both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Festival on MBC1, MBC MASR, and MBC IRAQ as well as Shahid. MBC STUDIOS, MBC TALENT, and MBC ACADEMY will run a series of activations across the duration of the event.
A special highlight will be a Gala Screening of Desert Warrior, an action-filled epic feature film set in 7th century Arabia, and produced by MBC STUDIOS, and JB Pictures. The Film features an all-star cast led by Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, and Academy Award® winner Sir Ben Kingsley, Ghassan Massoud, Sharlto Copley, Sami Bouajila, and others, and was filmed in NEOM and TABUK in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. British director Rupert Wyatt helms the epic film from a screenplay, he co-penned with Erica Beeney and David Self.
Samar Akrouk, General Manager MBC STUDIOS and Group Director Production at MBC GROUP commented: “For us at MBC GROUP, participating in the Red Sea International Film Festival goes beyond partnership; it reflects a shared belief in the power of our stories. 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: ” We are proud to renew our partnership with MBC GROUP, a leading media force in the Arab world and a strategic partner in our ambitions. MBC’s presence at the Festival enables us to bring Arab and international stories to a wider audience, while offering filmmakers a platform that truly reflects the depth and impact of their creativity. We are confident that this collaboration will continue to open new horizons for the region’s film industry and further strengthen Jeddah’s position as a global destination for arts and culture.”
It is worth noting that, across its previous editions, the Red Sea International Film Festival has showcased more than 520 films from around the world, bringing together emerging voices and renowned global storytellers. Through its diverse programs and talent-support initiatives, the Festival has played a vital role in accelerating the growth of the film industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, while reinforcing Jeddah’s position as a vibrant home for cinematic creativity and an international hub for filmmaking and storytelling.
Red Sea Film Foundation Announces 15 Teams And Mentors For The 2026 48HR Film Challenge
Two Saudi Projects Selected For Sud Ecriture International Workshop No. 44 In Partnership With The Red Sea Fund
