The screening follows the movie’s world premiere in Zurich in September, where critics praised its large-scale action, sweeping visuals and high-end craft.
The Red Sea International Film Festival will host the Middle East premiere of Desert Warrior on December 6, marking the regional debut of one of the most ambitious films yet produced in Saudi Arabia.
The screening follows the movie’s world premiere in Zurich in September, where critics praised its large-scale action, sweeping visuals and high-end craft.
Directed by British filmmaker Rupert Wyatt, the epic was shot across NEOM, Tabuk and surrounding regions, and features an international cast led by Anthony Mackie, Sir Ben Kingsley, Aiysha Hart, Sharlto Copley, Ghassan Massoud and Sami Bouajila.
The project is positioned as a milestone for Saudi film production, reflecting the Kingdom’s drive to attract major global shoots and expand local storytelling.
Wyatt, best known for Rise of the Planet of the Apes, began filming in September 2021, describing the production as “a pioneering experiment in international filmmaking” during a period of rapid growth in the Saudi creative sector.
The film blends a pre-Islamic setting with Western influences, drawing on Sergio Leone’s desert vistas and large-format battle scenes inspired by classic world cinema.
Samar Akrouk, General Manager of MBC STUDIOS and Group Director of Production at MBC GROUP, said the premiere at RSIFF underlines the momentum of the Kingdom’s expanding film industry.
“The Middle East premiere of Desert Warrior marks a key milestone for the film and for Saudi Arabia’s fast-rising film sector,” she said, noting rising global interest in local productions and the growing pool of regional talent. She added that the festival’s appearance reflects a shared commitment to culturally grounded stories with global reach.
Set in 7th-century Arabia, Desert Warrior follows Princess Hind, played by Aiysha Hart, who escapes becoming a concubine to the Persian emperor Kisra, portrayed by Kingsley.
Forced into the desert, she forms an alliance with a fugitive bandit (Mackie) and a deposed Arab king (Massoud) as they attempt to rally divided tribes against Kisra’s army. The film builds towards a large-scale battle featuring cavalry, desert combat and war elephants, echoing the muscular spectacle of historical epics.
The production is one of the largest mounted in the Arab world, with more than 600 crew members from over 40 countries working on location in Saudi Arabia. It was produced by Jeremy Bolt of JB Pictures alongside MBC STUDIOS, with AGC International handling global sales. After an extended period of post-production, the film premiered in Zurich to strong reactions for its visual ambition and world-building.
For Saudi Arabia, the film represents a showcase of capability as the country positions itself as a competitive hub for international filmmaking. For MBC STUDIOS, it signals an expanding slate of high-profile Arabic and regional content aimed at global audiences.
The Jeddah premiere is expected to draw regional and international guests as RSIFF continues to highlight the Kingdom’s creative output and its increasing role in the global screen industry.
