Lead:
The Egyptian film "Happy Birthday," produced by Ahmad Al-Desouky and directed by Sarah Goher, is in commercial release across 6,400 cinema screens in China—the widest distribution for an Arab film in cinema history and the second-most distributed Arab film globally. The achievement exceeds the number of screens showing Marvel films in America.
Top Stories:
Godzilla Minus Zero — Director Takashi Yamazaki fulfills a childhood ambition by featuring King Ghidorah, the three-headed enemy of Godzilla, destroying a city on screen in his new film, which begins theatrical release Friday. Yamazaki, who grew up in Matsumoto, Japan, was disappointed by the brief appearance of his hometown in the 1964 film "Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster" and reconstructed the scenario in his own production after 55 years.Helicopter crash during Miami film shoot — One person died and two others sustained serious injuries when a Robinson R44 helicopter used for filming movie scenes crashed into Biscayne Bay near Miami. The chartered aircraft went down near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park off Key Biscayne while filming moving boats in water; rescue teams from multiple local agencies and U.S. Coast Guard responded.Sharjah Film Platform supports young talent in "First Shot" program — The Sharjah Film Platform, in its ninth edition, continues backing students and graduates from cinema and arts programs at UAE universities through the "First Shot" program, which showcases selected works in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah, New York University Abu Dhabi, University of the Arts Sharjah, and Zayed University. Films screen at 8 p.m. Fridays at Oasis Cinema in Marjah Square, Sharjah.Studio Faten Hamama opens at Maspero next week — Egypt's National Media Authority will inaugurate Studio Faten Hamama at the tenth floor of Maspero, the Egyptian Television headquarters in Cairo, within days as part of a comprehensive infrastructure and technical upgrade of the authority's television studios. The studio offers panoramic views of the Nile River to enhance the visual identity of scheduled programs.Ali Rabea returns to Ramadan drama with "Al-Khal Wa Al-Ab" — Actor Ali Rabea has signed to lead a new 15-episode comedy-drama series titled "Al-Khal Wa Al-Ab" (The Uncle and Father) for Ramadan 2027, marking his return to Ramadan competition after a five-year absence since presenting "Ahsan Ab" (Best Father) in Ramadan 2021. The series examines family problems and daily crises within Egyptian households through comedy, with Rabea playing an uncle suddenly responsible for his sister's children."Jassarat Al-Dabbab" (Island of Fog) launches on ADMN — The Emirati series "Jassarat Al-Dabbab," produced by Abu Dhabi Media Network, premieres exclusively on the StarzPlay app via ADMN starting Thursday, blending science fiction, mystery and suspense as an expedition team of researchers becomes stranded on a remote island shrouded in fog after a violent storm diverts their boat.Coming Up:
Godzilla Minus Zero opens in cinemas Friday. The Emirati mystery-science fiction series "Jassarat Al-Dabbab" begins streaming Thursday on StarzPlay.