Two films from Saudi Arabia will showcase the kingdom’s budding movie industry at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. Produced by the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, also known as Ithra, the two titles unveiled at the Saudi Pavilion will be shot extensively across Saudi Arabia and feature local talent.
The first film by Egyptian screenwriter and producer Mohamed Hefzy, a known name at Cannes, is tentatively titled Sea of Sands. It’s a coming-of-age story centered around a young Bedouin orphan and a camel who form a special bond and embark on a journey across the kingdom.
The second film, by Saudi filmmaker Khalid Fahad, is called Valley Road, and follows the adventure of Ali, an autistic young man who gets lost on the way to see a doctor in a nearby village.
Both films are scheduled to be released in 2023.
Hefzy, a leading figure in the industry in the Middle East and Africa, has written, produced and co-produced nearly 40 feature films in Egypt, the US, the UK and the Arab world. Three of his films have featured in the official selection at Cannes as well as a fourth title, Feathers, in the prestigious Critics’ Week section this year.
Hefzy also produced Emirati director Ali F Mostafa's acclaimed 2014 film From A to B.
“Ithra has played a significant role in supporting independent filmmakers from Saudi Arabia at a critical time just as the kingdom’s booming film industry begins to take shape,” said Hefzy. “I am thrilled to work with them and all the Saudi and Arab talent who will be joining this exciting project.”
Apart from commissioning projects, Ithra is also the driving force behind several initiatives supporting the kingdom’s film industry. The 300-seat Ithra Cinema, which supports art house flicks, is home to Saudi Film Days and the Ithra Film Society. Ithra also organises the annual Saudi Film Festival.
Ithra Film Production, one of the largest film producers in Saudi Arabia, has produced 20 films and helped dozens of filmmakers bring their dreams to life.
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
GIANT REVIEW
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1. Featherweight 66kg
Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg
Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
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Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
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Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg
Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)
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LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
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May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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UPI facts
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Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
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Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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