A still from Six Windows in the Desert: Is Sumiyati going to Hell? Courtesy of Netflix
Streaming giant Netflix has announced its newest partnership with Saudi Arabian production group Telfaz11. The collaboration will see the creation of eight films, the first expecting to be released in late 2021.
The partnership between Netflix and Telfaz11 comes after the success of the award-winning short-film collective Six Windows in the Desert, which was released earlier this year. The short-film collection saw Telfaz11 bring the region’s rich, cinematic culture to the big screen on an international scale. The eight new films scheduled for production will look to appeal to viewers from both, the Arab and global audiences.
“Great stories can come from anywhere and be loved everywhere. We are expanding our library of Saudi content and showcasing the beauty of Saudi storytelling by joining forces with its creators to produce authentic and intriguing stories that will resonate with both Arab and global audiences. We hope that Telfaz’s work will offer Netflix members around the world a chance to experience Saudi culture, humor, and art,” said Nuha El Tayeb, director of content acquisition at Netflix.
Telfaz11 was founded in 2011 and has been widely regarded as the entity responsible for reinventing innovative and powerful storytelling across the Arab region and influencing pop-culture in the Kingdom. The company was founded by CEO and Chairman Alaa Yousef Fadan, writer and director Ali Al Kalthami, and comedian Ibrahim Al Khairallah. Al Khairallah was previously featured on Netflix’s Comedians of the World, as one of the four Arab comedians in the acclaimed stand-up comedy series.
The trio has expressed their delight at Telfaz11’s new partnership with Netflix, and hope the eight upcoming projects, beginning in 2021, will offer people around the world a glimpse into the creative minds, humor, and entertainment that Saudi Arabia has to offer. “We are thrilled to partner with Netflix in an important validation of both our success at Telfaz11 and the region’s burgeoning production ecosystem,” said co-founder and CEO of Telfaz11, Fadan. “These eight films will showcase for global audiences the incredible culture, locations, and talent that exists within both our region and the Telfaz11 filmmaker network.”
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