🎬 Saudi Comedy "Alzarfa" Beats Hollywood at the Box Office
A local movie takes first place over big US films in Saudi Arabia | Streaming in Short – W28
This week, we cover a Saudi comedy topping the box office over Hollywood hits, Luma opening an AI lab for filmmakers in Hollywood, and the upcoming launch of Ligue 1+, a new streaming home for French football.
🎬 Saudi comedy “Alzarfa” beats big Hollywood movies at the box office
👉 The Saudi movie “Alzarfa: Escape from Hanhounia Hell” took first place at the box office in Saudi Arabia, ahead of popular Hollywood films like “Jurassic World Rebirth” and “F1: The Movie.”
📍 In just three days, “Alzarfa” sold 213,000 tickets and made $2.7 million. The comedy is about three friends who try to steal treasure from a billionaire but get caught up in bigger problems. After the heist fails, they end up acting in a movie paid for by the same billionaire.
💡 “Alzarfa” is made by the team behind “Sattar.” It’s the first film by director Abdullah Majed and stars local actors. More Saudi movies are now beating Hollywood hits at home.
🤖 Luma opens an AI lab for filmmakers in Hollywood
👉 Luma, an AI startup known for its creative video tools, is launching a new studio called Dream Lab LA right in the heart of Hollywood.
📍 This new space is all about helping filmmakers and studios learn how to use AI for making movies. The idea is simple: you don’t need big film sets, just smart AI tools. Luma’s team will show creators how to make videos faster and try out new ideas.
💡 The lab will be led by Verena Puhm and LA filmmaker Jon Finger. Luma wants to make Hollywood more creative and efficient, so anyone can create movie scenes and effects in seconds, just by using AI.
⚽ Ligue 1+: A new home for French football
What happened?
👉 The French football league is about to launch Ligue 1+, a brand new channel for watching Ligue 1 matches. The service starts on August 15, right when the new season kicks off.
Key details:
Ligue 1+ will show eight matches live every weekend, plus one more on replay. There will also be special football shows on Saturdays and Sundays.
The first big match (Nantes vs PSG) will be free for everyone on August 17.
You’ll see top sports journalists and ex-players on screen.
Subscriptions cost €14.99 per month with a yearly plan, or €19.99 without a contract. If you’re under 26, there’s a €9.99 monthly deal for watching on mobile or computer.
You can get Ligue 1+ on all the major TV networks (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues), on DAZN, and soon on more streaming platforms.
Why it matters?
🎯 Ligue 1+ makes it easier for fans to follow French football, all in one place, with special prices for young fans and a fresh new way to watch the game.
🇬🇧 PARTNERSHIP: Disney+ and ITVX to share top shows in the UK
Disney+ and ITVX are joining forces so people in the UK can watch more great shows. From July 16, you’ll see popular ITVX series like “Mr. Bates vs The Post Office” on Disney+, and Disney+ hits like “The Bear” and “Andor” on ITVX.
Both services will keep updating these choices, making it easier for everyone to find new favorites without switching apps.
🎙️ YOUTUBE: Creators are changing how we watch
At Cannes Lions, YouTube’s Pedro Pina said brands are now racing to work with creators. YouTube is helping with new tools that let brands team up with lots of creators quickly.
Pedro also explained that creators use data to really know what viewers like. He thinks creators are shaping the future, moving faster and connecting better with fans than old-school studios.
👩🎤 ANIME: Netflix says half its users now watch Anime
Netflix says over half its users now watch anime, and the numbers have tripled in five years. In 2024, anime was watched more than 1 billion times on the platform.
Netflix is adding even more new anime, like “Sakamoto Days” and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2,” and making them available in more languages so fans everywhere can join in.
📡 SATELLITE: Baywatch TV launches across MENA with SoFast & Eutelsat
SoFast and Eutelsat are about to launch Baywatch TV across the MENA region. They’re now looking for brands to advertise on the new channel, with ads placed right into the broadcast.
Baywatch TV reaches 95% of homes in the Arab world, giving brands a fresh way to connect with viewers across the region.
🤝 PARTNERSHIP: Roya and 1001 join forces for more streaming in Jordan and Iraq
Roya Media Group and 1001 OPS are sharing their best shows with each other. Now, you’ll find Roya’s top programs on the 1001 app, and 1001’s popular series on Roya’s streaming platform.
This partnership is all about helping viewers in Jordan and Iraq discover more local and regional content, all in one place.
🎬 Summer of Classics (Cinema Akil, Dubai): Spanning a full century, from the silent wonders of the 1920s to the poetic tales of today, this program brings together 14 films that continue to move audiences around the world.
🪐 Foundation Season 3 from David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman (Apple TV+): 152 years after the events of season two, The Foundation has become increasingly established far beyond its humble beginnings while the Cleonic Dynasty's Empire has dwindled.
⚰️ 24 years ago, Six Feet Under premiered on HBO. Created by Alan Ball, this acclaimed drama explored the lives of the Fisher family, who ran a funeral home in Los Angeles. Known for its dark humor, emotional storytelling, and bold look at life and death, Six Feet Under became a TV classic, often praised for its powerful characters and unforgettable series finale.
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Thanks for reading, enjoy your weekend! I’ll be back Monday with my MENA insights.
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