Red Sea Film Festival to Open With Saudi Fantasy Romance ‘HWJN’

Alex Ritman
·2 min read

The Red Sea International Film Festival will open with a local Saudi Arabian film for the first time, with Yasir Al Yasiri’s fantasy romance HWJN set to raise the curtain on the third edition of the Jeddah event on Nov. 30.

Adapted from the best-selling young adult fantasy novel by Ibraheem Abbas, HWJN blends Arabian folklore and modern themes for a story set in modern-day Jeddah and follows a kind-hearted jinn (Baraa Alem) on an epic journey to reclaim his birthright. Along the way, he meets and develops an unexpected romantic connection with Sawsan (Nour Alkhadra), a young medical student. HWJN, which had already been announced as screening at the festival in the Arab Spectacular section, is one of the biggest projects to date under a 2018 production partnership between regional giants Image Nation Abu Dhabi, MBC Studios and VOX Studios.

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“The story of HWJN is an epic tale of romance, adventure, and culture that has resonated with millions in Saudi and beyond,” said Yasiri, the Iraqi director whose previous titles include Shabab Sheyab and 122. “Bringing this beloved novel to life as a movie has been an extraordinary journey and a landmark achievement for regional cinema. It’s profoundly meaningful for us to open this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah — the city where HWJN’s story was born, and which plays a pivotal role in the narrative. This premiere is not just a tribute to the film’s journey, but also to Jeddah’s vibrant culture and history, which inspired us immensely.”

HWJN was co-written by Yasiri, Abbas, Sarah Taibah and Hussam Alhulwah; executive produced by Majid Al Ansari (Zinzana) and Saad Al Albutaily (Cherry); and produced by Yasiri’s production company, Axx productions. The book was published by Yatakhayaloon, which is founded by Yasser Bahjatt and Abbas.

“Opening the festival in its third edition with a Saudi film is a real testament to how far the cinema industry has come in such a short time,” said Red Sea Film Foundation CEO Mohammed Al-Turki. “As a Saudi filmmaker myself this is a transformative moment. It is both exciting and humbling for us to be the center of growth for film in the region by providing a platform that is recognized on a global stage. We are thrilled to kick off our upcoming edition with HWJN.”

The inaugural edition of the Red Sea Film Festival had actually been due to open with a Saudi film — The Book of Sun — back in early 2020. However, this became one of the first events to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and when the festival eventually took place in December 2021 it launched with Joe Wright’s Cyrano.

The 2023 Red Sea Film Festival will run Nov. 30-Dec. 9.

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