Latest news with #ItaliaFilm
Broadcast Pro
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi comedy ‘Alzarfa' tops local box office, outperforming global hits
Alzarfa attracted 184,000 admissions and generated a box office gross of $2.4m within its first three days of release, according to data from the Saudi Film Commission. Saudi comedy Alzarfa: Escape from Hanhounia Hell has taken the lead at the Saudi Arabian box office over the weekend, outperforming major international releases Jurassic World Rebirth and F1: The Movie. The film, a wild heist adventure about three friends attempting to steal a treasure known as 'The Golden Rashrash' from a museum owned by an eccentric billionaire, claimed the number one spot with 213,000 admissions and a box office haul of $2.7m in its first three days, according to figures from leading regional distributor Italia Film. In comparison, Jurassic World Rebirth trailed significantly, landing in third place with 55,000 admissions and earnings of just over $800,000 in its debut weekend. Meanwhile, F1: The Movie, now in its second week, secured the second spot with 70,000 admissions and a $1.2m weekend total, pushing its cumulative gross in the kingdom to $3.8m. Alzarfa, produced by Saudi production companies Alshimaisi Films and Telfaz11 in partnership with Big Time Fund and distributed by Qanawat, is the latest local hit following their previous blockbuster Sattar, which grossed over $10m in 2023, becoming the highest-earning Saudi film since commercial cinemas reopened in 2017 after a 35-year ban. Blending elements of a heist film with a metafilm twist, Alzarfa follows the three protagonists from a failed robbery attempt to a surprising turn of events in which they become part of a film being produced by the same tycoon they had targeted. The fictional movie, depicting the tycoon's family history, is shot in the very locations tied to the treasure they had hoped to steal. Marking the feature directorial debut of Abdullah Majed—known for his short film Safraa's Night and the TV drama Ureem: Balcony Hotel—Alzarfa features a cast including Mohammed Shaif, Hamed Sharari, Ahmed Al-Kaabi, and Ibrahim Alkhairallah, along with a cameo from American actor Robert Knepper of Prison Break fame. Following its successful Saudi launch, the film is set to roll out across the region in the coming weeks. Its strong local performance reflects a growing trend in Saudi Arabia's evolving film industry, where homegrown titles are increasingly dominating box office charts. Earlier this year, Abdulaziz Alshlahei's period drama Hobal similarly outshone Hollywood competitors like Mufasa: The Lion King, Flight Risk, and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera in Saudi cinemas. With the country's annual box office stabilizing at around $200–$250 million, Saudi productions are proving they can compete head-to-head with international franchises. In a statement, executive producer and Alshimaisi Films CEO Ibrahim Alkhairallah said: 'It's incredibly exciting to see another Saudi film take the lead during a packed summer slate. Following the success of Sattar, Alzarfa is further proof that audiences are craving locally-rooted stories told in our own voice but on a scale that can rival the biggest global titles.'
Broadcast Pro
03-06-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Milo Productions and Italia Film partner to bring ‘Time Hoppers: The Silk Road' to MENA
Through this agreement, Italia Film will handle the exclusive theatrical distribution rights of the film across MENA. Canadian animation studio Milo Productions Inc. has announced a new distribution partnership with Italia Film, the independent film distributor in the Middle East and North Africa, to bring its upcoming animated feature Time Hoppers: The Silk Road to theaters across the MENA region, expanding the reach and the presence of the universe in key markets.. Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is a 3D animated adventure aimed at children and families, taking audiences on an educational journey through history. The film follows four children who travel back in time to discover the scientific breakthroughs that shaped the modern world, all through the lens of the Silk Road. Along the way, they encounter legendary figures such as Ibn Al-Haytham, pioneer of optics; Al-Khawarizmi, father of algorithms; Maryam Astrolabi, a trailblazing woman in astronomical instrumentation; and Mansa Musa, the famed West African emperor known for his immense wealth and support of science and culture. Italia Film, which holds exclusive distribution rights for major Hollywood studios including Disney, Marvel, LucasFilm, and 20th Century Studios in the region, will handle the theatrical rollout of Time Hoppers across MENA. The company's extensive expertise in the family entertainment market is expected to ensure a strong reception for the film when it debuts in October 2025. Milo Productions Inc. CEO Michael Milo said: 'We are incredibly happy that our team has been able to bring a children's feature to screens around the world. It is a great testament to the diversity of voices in Canada and what they can accomplish.' Flordeliza Dayrit Chief Creative Officer at the company and the movie's writer and director added: 'Our goal was to make a time travel action adventure that is super fun and funny while still having a positive message that shows children all civilizations have played a role in advancing modern science.' The production was made possible with support from several Canadian funding bodies, including the Shaw Rocket Fund, Canada Media Fund, Creative Export Canada and the Alberta Media Fund. Italia Film General Manager Nasser Modad stated: 'By working with a trusted leader like Italia Film, Milo Productions aims to ensure that Time Hoppers reaches as many MENA-based families as possible, inspiring them to explore the past, celebrate their rich and diverse histories, and imagine what the future could hold for them. Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is slated for release in major theaters across the MENA region this October, 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for the Time Hoppers Universe in new markets.'
