Saudi Arabia Launches Film Fund to Boost Arabic Cinema

Saudi Arabia

In a significant move to boost Arabic cinema, Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has launched the Big Time Investment film fund, with the first project being a biopic on the iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. Egyptian actress Mona Zaki will portray the legendary figure in the film titled "El Set," directed by Marwan Hamed. This initiative, with an estimated investment of $130 million, aims to foster the production of Arabic cinema, with the GEA serving as the main sponsor and several Saudi companies contributing to the fund. The announcement was made in Cairo by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the GEA, emphasizing the fund's goal to produce around 20 Arabic titles annually. Umm Kulthum, known as "The fourth pyramid" and "The star of the East," holds a revered status in Arab culture, making her life story a compelling subject for cinematic exploration. The establishment of the Big Time Investment fund marks a significant step in supporting and promoting Arab cinema on a broader scale.