Samar Akrouk to Replace Christina Wayne as Managing Director of Saudi-Owned MBC Studios

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi director and producer Osama Alkhurayji’s debut feature film “Siwar” recently wrapped principal photography in AlUla, the swathe of northwest Saudi Arabia comprising ancient artifacts, a lush oasis and sandstone canyons that’s becoming a burgeoning local film production hub. “Siwar” involves two families – one Turkish, the other Saudi – whose fates become entangled due to a revelation about their newborns.

Actor Mohammed Elshehri belongs to a generation of emerging Saudi talents who first cut their teeth on YouTube and are now making their names in film and TV.

Just over six years have passed since Saudi Arabia announced the lifting of its 35-year cinema ban as part of a strategy to open up the country and move its economy away from a reliance on oil.

Jeremy Allen White is enjoying a day out.

EXCLUSIVE: Rising Saudi Star Mohammed Elshehri has been announced as master of ceremonies at the 10th edition Saudi Film Festival, running from May 2 to 9 in the Eastern Province city of Dhahran.

A drugs kingpin who lived an extraordinary life of luxury funded by crime must pay back almost £3.5million of his ill-gotten gains. Aram Sheibani could face an extra decade in jail if he fails to pay back the huge sum.

Christina Applegate was once asked to star in “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” — but declined the role. “I was asked to be a Housewife for ‘Beverly Hills,’ ” Applegate, 52, told her “MeSsy” podcast co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler on Tuesday. “They asked me to be one probably … 10 years ago, I would say?”The “Married … With Children” alum said she turned down the spot on the highly successful show because she felt that she wouldn’t bring enough of the drama that was required.“I wouldn’t have shown up for any dinners.

William Earl QVC is bowing to the prevailing demographic trends with the launch of a massive business and programming initiative targeted women over the age of 50. The home shopping stalwart steered is introducing “The Age of Possibility” marketing and programming campaign highlighting female celebrities and leaders age 50 and over who are demonstrating the third act that modern women are experiencing. The list includes such boldface names as Martha Stewart, Queen Latifah, Naomi Watts, Christina Applegate, Billie Jean King, Patti LaBelle and Sherri Shepherd and prominent executives such as Dentsu’s Diane Epstein and Liberty Media’s Renee Wilm.

Christina Applegate revealed that she turned down an offer to star on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Lexi Carson Ron Weiner, a television director at WGN Chicago for 25 years and three-time Daytime Emmy-winning director for talkshow “Donahue,” died on March 18 in Baltimore, Md. He was 93. Weiner directed shows including “Donahue,” “An Evening With B.B.

Jack Dunn CAA appointed Thursday nine managing directors and new membership for its agency board. The managing directors will work on a wide range of strategic and operation matters while the agency board will focus on organization, dealmaking, sustained innovation and development and training.

Creative Artists Agency has reintroduced managing directors, naming nine today, and announced a big expansion of its agency board as its leadership structure evolves.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi Arabia has landed its first film in the Cannes Film Festival official selection with “Norah,” a drama by pioneering director Tawfik Alzaidi set in 1990s Saudi, when conservatism was at its height and all forms of art and painting were banned for religion-related reasons. “Norah,” which premiered locally in December at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, will be launching internationally from Cannes’ prestigious Un Certain Regard section, marking the first Saudi film to screen in Cannes and becoming a symbol of the kingdom’s rapidly growing moviemaking ambitions since Saudi Arabia lifted its 35-year-old religion-related ban on cinema in 2017.

EXCLUSIVE: UK director Jon Amiel has signed to direct upcoming feature Sands of Fortune which explores the story behind the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia and the birth of the country’s petroleum and natural gas giant Aramco.

Saudi Arabia has declared the date Eid will take place on for Muslims observing the month of Ramadan. Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-al-Fitr, is one of the two main holidays in the Islamic calendar.

Shaheem Reid When you’re Lil Baby’s lil’ baby boy, there are perks to rolling with your old man, even if the elder Lil Baby isn’t even 30 — like going to WrestleMania XL and sitting with his friends Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, Wale and comedian-actor Druski. But more importantly, you get to sit in the front row and be close enough to cheer on the Rock as he literally hit “Rock Bottom.” On Saturday night, WWE put on its Super Bowl: night one of WrestleMania XL at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. “The biggest WrestleMania of all-time,” as it is being hyped, was headlined by the return of wrestler-turned Hollywood megastar the Rock.

MBC Studios has officially confirmed that Samar Akrouk will succeed the departing Christina Wayne as Managing Director.

multiple sclerosis battle.The 52-year-old “Dead to Me” actress revealed on her “MeSsy” podcast that the pain of the disease has made it difficult to tolerate bathing herself, so she’s slacking on her personal hygiene. “I’m gonna be honest with you, I need to buy stock in Cottonelle because I haven’t taken a shower in three weeks,” Applegate told her co-host,Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

"2024, we coming," was the pledge Jesse Lingard made on New Year's Eve, with the Burj Khalifa as his backdrop on an Instagram post to his nine million followers.

Just when you thought Tom Sandoval couldn’t make fans cringe anymore…