Latest news with #EPIXCinemas
Gulf Weekly
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Revenge and rage
Indian thriller The Red Balloon, which has been shot in the kingdom with an all-Bahrain-based cast and crew, is set to premiere tomorrow, June 20, writes Melissa Nazareth. The Malayalam language short film, with English and Arabic subtitles, will be screened in a private event at EPIX Cinemas, and, thereafter, made available to the public on YouTube. Launched under the Kutti Sarah Entertainment banner, The Red Balloon, is produced by creative entrepreneur Priya Lijin and directed by cinematic talents Lijin Poyil and Vikas Surya; Priya and Lijin own Kutti Sarah Entertainment. The cinematography has been brought alive on screen by Hariz Ekkachu, an accountant and well-known name in the local south-Indian film fraternity. The show stars many artists, including eight-year-old Sarah Lijin, Priya and Lijin's daughter, and grade three student of The Asian School. 'It's taken us two years to film and complete this project but we're happy that it's finally done,' Asha Hariz, who has a cameo in the production, told GulfWeekly. 'Even though all the cast and crew are based in the kingdom, it was difficult to get common dates for the actors, which was a major challenge. 'Plans for a sequel are underway but it will take some time and will be announced at a later date,' she revealed. Speaking about the short film, Asha noted that the audience will not be able to predict who the 'main hero' is until the very end, which brings with it a 'great plot twist'. 'The movie starts off with just one hero and heroine but then more characters are added,' she explained. While The Red Balloon has been filmed across locations, including Salmaniya, Maameer and Malkiya, the film's story is set in the south-Indian state of Kerala. 'We had to use props and be creative about how we filmed to give that effect. 'In fact, once, two of our actors were dressed in police uniforms and standing next to a police vehicle that had 'Kerala police' written on it. A duo in a car spotted them, mistook them for real and sped away in a different direction,' she said, recalling lighter moments during the filming period.
Daily Tribune
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Bahraini Youth Screen National Stories
TDT | Manama More than 150 digital works by young Bahrainis lit up the big screen at EPIX Cinemas this week, capping the final stage of 'The Challenge' competition under the Bahrainouna national values campaign. The screening brought together students, creatives, and civil society representatives to celebrate youth-driven content expressing themes of national belonging, loyalty, and pride. The showcased submissions were selected from a wide range of entries submitted across the Kingdom's governorates in recent months. Youth creativity General Supervisor of the Bahrainouna Executive Office, Major General Mohammed bin Daina, praised the initiative's success in connecting national values with digital storytelling. 'The showcase vividly embodied the voices, values, and aspirations of young creators,' he said, crediting the project's impact to its outreach across youth clubs, schools, and civil society. He also extended special thanks to EPIX Cinemas and Zain Bahrain for their collaboration in providing a platform to amplify youth voices through media. The competition had its roots in interactive regional tours earlier this year, where workshops and events introduced the campaign's mission and encouraged youth to express national themes using digital tools. Public voting and expert panels were used to evaluate submissions, ensuring broad community participation. Community effort 'The Challenge' formed part of a broader campaign that included the Bahrainouna exhibition held in Seef Mall in May. That event featured themed zones covering heritage, innovation, volunteerism, and entrepreneurship. These elements reinforced the message of national engagement through diverse mediums. The cinematic finale at EPIX marked a proud closing chapter in a months-long journey of youth-led storytelling, community pride, and digital innovation in the service of national identity.
Gulf Insider
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
FrancoFilm Festival 2025 Opens With A Dazzling Celebration
The red carpet rolled out, the spotlights beamed, and the spirit of cinema lit up Dana Mall as the FrancoFilm Festival – Bahrain 2025 made its grand entrance on Sunday night at EPIX Cinemas. Now in its third edition, this cultural celebration brought together filmmakers, diplomats, cinema lovers, and storytellers from across continents – all united by a common language: cinema en français. Under the patronage of H.E. Éric Giraud-Telme, the French Ambassador to Bahrain, the event wasn't just a film festival – it was a symphony of cultures, hosted in collaboration with 12 Francophone embassies including Armenia, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Vietnam. 'This is more than just a showcase of films – it's a celebration of the creative soul of Francophone nations,' said Ambassador Giraud-Telme, speaking to the Daily Tribune. 'It's about invention, diversity, and shared stories that connect us all.' A special premiere screening of the epic 'Le Comte de Monte-Cristo', a 2024 adaptation by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte, based on Alexandre Dumas' legendary tale of revenge and redemption. For the first time ever, Bahraini audiences were treated to this cinematic gem on the big screen. But the night wasn't only about the movies – it was also about building bridges through film. Ambassador Giraud-Telme noted, 'France and Bahrain are working hand-in-hand in the cinema industry. Just a few months ago, we co-launched the 48-Hour Film Challenge during the Bahrain Film Festival – a symbol of our strong and growing partnership.' Adding her voice to the evening, Martine S. Kindt, Consul of Belgium in Manama, reflected on the vibrant interest in Francophone storytelling: 'We have so many types of filmmakers across our countries, but what stands out here is the genuine curiosity and appreciation the Bahraini people have for French culture and cinematic diversity.' With its blend of classic storytelling and fresh global perspectives, the FrancoFilm Festival is more than just a film screening – it's a cultural rendezvous, an invitation to see the world through different lenses, and a celebration of connection through the art of festival will continue until 22-May with more screenings and events open to the public. Also read: LMRA Inspections Lead To Deportation Of 167 Workers And Detention Of 14 Violators
Gulf Insider
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain: FrancoFilm Festival To Begin Today With Global Cinematic Lineup
The third edition of the FrancoFilm Festival kicks off today in Bahrain, bringing a vibrant slate of twelve French-language films from nine countries to the big screen. Organisers have released the complete schedule for the sixday cultural celebration, with screenings taking place at EPIX Cinemas in Dana Mall and a special closing event at the Bahrain National Museum. Hosted by the Embassy of France to the Kingdom of Bahrain in partnership with Alliance Française Bahrain, this year's edition features contributions from the embassies of Armenia, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Switzerland, and Vietnam, highlighting the global reach of Francophone storytelling. Opening day screenings The festival opens today with: Le chant des feuilles volantes (Armenia, 2023) at 4:30 PM Photocopy (Egypt, 2017) at 5 PM Retour en Alexandrie (Switzerland, 2023) at 7 PM Official opening tomorrow The official opening ceremony will take place on Sunday with two feature presentations: Linda veut du poulet (France, 2023) at 5 PM Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (France, 2024) at 7 PM Midweek features On Monday, the lineup continues with: Les porteurs d'espoir (Canada, 2010) at 5 PM Mambar Pierrette (Cameroon, 2023) at 7 PM Sans Regret (Ivory Coast, 2015) at 9 PM Continental cinema On Tuesday, festivalgoers can watch: Rouge (Belgium, 2020) at 7 PM Skammata (Cyprus, 2024) at 9 PM Contemporary voices On Wednesday, the schedule includes: La nuit du verre d'eau (Lebanon, 2023) at 7 PM Face Off 7: One Wish (Vietnam, 2024) at 9 PM Museum finale The festival will close on Thursday with a special screening of La Ville Louvre (France, 1990) by Nicolas Philibert at 6 PM, hosted at the Bahrain National Museum.
Daily Tribune
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
FrancoFilm festival to begin today with global cinematic lineup
TDT| Manama The third edition of the FrancoFilm Festival kicks off today in Bahrain, bringing a vibrant slate of twelve French-language films from nine countries to the big screen. Organisers have released the complete schedule for the sixday cultural celebration, with screenings taking place at EPIX Cinemas in Dana Mall and a special closing event at the Bahrain National Museum. Hosted by the Embassy of France to the Kingdom of Bahrain in partnership with Alliance Française Bahrain, this year's edition features contributions from the embassies of Armenia, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Switzerland, and Vietnam, highlighting the global reach of Francophone storytelling. Opening day screenings The festival opens today with: • Le chant des feuilles volantes (Armenia, 2023) at 4:30 PM • Photocopy (Egypt, 2017) at 5 PM • Retour en Alexandrie (Switzerland, 2023) at 7 PM Official opening tomorrow The official opening ceremony will take place on Sunday with two feature presentations: • Linda veut du poulet (France, 2023) at 5 PM • Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (France, 2024) at 7 PM Midweek features On Monday, the lineup continues with: • Les porteurs d'espoir (Canada, 2010) at 5 PM • Mambar Pierrette (Cameroon, 2023) at 7 PM • Sans Regret (Ivory Coast, 2015) at 9 PM Continental cinema On Tuesday, festivalgoers can watch: • Rouge (Belgium, 2020) at 7 PM • Skammata (Cyprus, 2024) at 9 PM Contemporary voices On Wednesday, the schedule includes: • La nuit du verre d'eau (Lebanon, 2023) at 7 PM • Face Off 7: One Wish (Vietnam, 2024) at 9 PM Museum finale The festival will close on Thursday with a special screening of La Ville Louvre (France, 1990) by Nicolas Philibert at 6 PM, hosted at the Bahrain National Museum.
