Film Clinic Reveals Future Plans & Projects in the Red Sea Souk

In parallel to its remarkable presence in this year's edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival with six films in the Official competition and the parallel sections; Film Clinic's Founder and President Mohamed Hefzy announces the company's newest home in the Saudi capital; Riyadh. Set to launch in the first quarter of 2025, marking a new milestone in the company’s journey in time for its twenty year anniversary. 

Hefzy stated, "With our presence in KSA, We’re aiming to work with the local talents and producers. Telling real authentic, entertaining and director driven stories from Saudi. With a commitment to benefit and support the rapidly evolving film infrastructure in the kingdom. We also aim to foster new relationships with the local film community while enhancing our relationships with our Saudi success partners including MBC Group, Ithra, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Muvi and Arabia Pictures Group. We look forward to hearing from all Saudi writers, directors and creatives.” 

Film Clinic’s lineup was also announced, with 6 films of its production varying from projects in development to films in different stages of production. Kicking off with the latest Saudi production; "A Matter of Life and Death" a feature narrative film, from writer Sarah Taibah and director Anas Batahaf, starring Sarah Taibah and Yacoub Alfarhan. It takes place within a romantic black comedy framework. It tells the story of "Hayat", a superstitious quirky girl who believes that she’s cursed, until she meets Yousef, an introverted heart surgeon who suffers from heartbeats slower than the average. He wants to kill, she wants to die, and fate brings them together. Powerhouses Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Rotana Studios and Arabia Pictures Group have joined as Producers. 

After a track record of collaborations together, the most recent of which was "19 B", Hefzy joins forces again with one of his old-time director partners; Ahmed Abdalla in their latest title"Berleen", a German - Egyptian production in collaboration with Seera Films. Distribution by Film Clinic Indie Distribution along with Saudi based Arabia Pictures Group. The film stars Menna Shalabi, Yosra El-Lozy, Mohamed Hatem, Fadwa Abed, Haydar Helow, Gehad Hossam El-Din, Fares El-Helow, and Raed Yassin. Berleen is based on drama, crime and mystery. Set in the German capital; Berlin. It tells the story of three Arab immigrants who face a surreal day; May is mistaken for a dead woman, Hana’s camera reveals alternate realities, and Hasan hears haunting melodies as he seeks revenge. Their lives intertwine in a surreal city where past and present collide.

Additionally, Film Clinic collaborates for the third time in a row with one of its favorite directors; Abu Bakr Shawky in period piece "The 67th Summer"; an Egyptian-French, Austrian and Swedish period dramedy. It stars Nelly Karim, Amir El-Masry, Valerie Pachner, Sabry Fawaz, Ahmed Kamal, Karim Kassem, Khaled Mokhtar, Ahmed El-Azaar, and Sherif El-Dessouky. Produced by Cinenovo, Film AG, Lagoonie Film Productions, Film Square, and Fox in the Snow. 

Film Clinic co-produces Sudanese director Suzannah Mirghani's "Cotton Queen"; a German, French, Palestinian and Egyptian production. It stars Mihad Murtada, Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud, Haram Bashir, Mohamed Mousa, and Talaat Farid. Additionally, it is a co-production between Film Clinic, Strange Birds, Maneki Films, and Philistine Films. Set in a cotton-farming village in Sudan,15-year-old Nafisa lives a simple life, picking cotton with her friends, crushing on a village boy, and learning from her grandmother Al-Sit, the respected village matriarch. The arrival of Nadir, a young Sudanese businessman from abroad, threatens to change their way of life. Nafisa’s parents are excited to arrange her marriage to Nadir, but Al-Sit has other plans. Because no one has asked Nafisa’s opinion about her own future, the teenager decides to take things into her own hands.

Mohamed Hefzy co-produces Mohamed Siam's "My Father’s Scent" through Film Clinic and ArtKhana, starring Kamel El-Basha, Ahmed Malek, and Mayan El-Sayed. It is an Egyptian, Swedish, and Qatari production. Throughout 90 minutes of drama and thriller, it tells the story of a father and his son. Each discovers many secrets about the other while they both try to settle their scores during one long night.

Saving the best for last, Hefzy collaborates with Mona Zaki for the third time, following Egypt's submission for the Academy Awards for International Film Award for "Flight 404". And for the first time joining forces with renowned award-winning director, Marwan Hamed, through the widely anticipated biopic of the legendary Egyptian icon, Um Kulthum; "El Sett". The film is a co-production between Film Clinic, Synergy, Film Square, and Oscar Studios, starring Mona Zaki, Mohamed Farag, Amr Saad, Ahmed Helmy, Karim Abdelaziz, Sayed Ragab, Ahmed Dawood, Ahmed Amin, and Tamer Nabiel. Following the story of Um Kulthum, the most prominent Egyptian and Arab singing icon, the world has ever known. Ailing from a sickness that threatens to silence her forever, she takes to the stage one final time for her most important performance yet, one with the potential to heal a nation broken by the shadow of a great defeat. As she slowly steps onto the stage to deafening chants and applause, fearful for her health and country, a legend finds herself walking down memory lane, reminiscing on her humble beginnings and the seven decade journey of triumphs, failures, defying social conventions, and loves lost that followed.

It is noteworthy that Film Clinic leads with a powerful presence in this edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival with 6 films, including 3 films in the official competition; Khaled Mansour's "Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo"produced by Film Clinic and Worldwide distribution by Film Clinic Indie Distribution, Mahdi Fleifel’s "To a Land Unknown"along with Taghreed Abu Al-Hassan's "Snow White", which are distributed by Film Clinic Indie Distribution in the MENA region.  

Jaylan Auf's "The Inevitable Journey to Find a Wedding Dress " is in the Festival Favorites section. It is produced by Film Clinic and distributed Worldwide by Film Clinic Indie Distribution. While Omar Bakry's "Abdo and Saneya" and the Saudi film "Hobal" are within the Arab Spectacular section.