- Written and directed by Ahd Kamel, the film will star Saba Mubarak, Mostafa Shahata, Qusai Kheder, and Baraa Alem
- The film will be produced as an OSN Original, demonstrating a growing commitment to investing in local premium talent led productions
- The story centers on the unlikely friendship between a privileged Saudi girl and her Sudanese driver
- The film is a partnership with the Red Sea Fund and MAD Solutions, and is supported by the UK Global Screen Fund
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – December 7th, 2022: OSN, announces its partnership with Red Sea Fund and MAD Solutions, with Caspian Films and executive producers Corniche Media to produce OSN Original ‘My Driver & I’. Written and directed by internationally award-winning Saudi talent, Ahd Kamel, the film is also co-produced by Jeddah-based production companies Yellow Camel and Millimeter.
The announcement of the film was made at an exclusive dinner event held in Jeddah during the Red Sea International Film Festival on 6 December, with industry leaders from the Saudi Film Commission and the Red Sea Fund in attendance, as well as members of the cast, including Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak and regional talents Mostafa Shahata and Baraa Alem.
Ahd Kamel, writer, and director of the film said, “I have been developing ‘My Driver & I’ for several years and I wanted to base the film on my memories of Jeddah in the 1980s and 90s. Witnessing Salma’s universal journey through adolescence, against the backdrop of societal expectations, is certainly a theme that tugs on the heart strings of all audience alike.”
‘My Driver & I’ follows the story of Salma, a young Saudi girl from an affluent family and Gamar, a young Sudanese man. Gamar moves to Jeddah after being employed as Salma’s driver and their relationship quickly develops into an intimate friendship that lasts throughout her teenage years and beyond. It is a story of independence and finding family in the most unexpected places.
Joe Kawkabani, Group CEO at OSN spoke on this occasion and said: “It’s time the region’s untold stories deserve a wider audience, and ‘My Driver & I’ is the embodiment of stories that deserve an expansive medium in the very city that the film is set in and there no better platform than The Red Sea Film Festival to make this announcement.”
‘My Driver and I’ is supported by the UK Global Screen Fund – financed by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and administered by the BFI. The fund’s International Co-production strand supports UK producers to work as partners on international co-productions and help create new global projects. The UK producers are Georgie Paget and Thembisa Cochrane of Caspian Films. The director Ahd Kamel is based in the UK.
Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, co-founders of MAD Solutions commented: “Having watched Ahd develop her labour of love over the years, it gives us so much joy to be part of the production alliance that will finally allow her exquisite story to come to life. Her wonderful story opens a window on life in Saudi Arabia during her formative years, a Saudi world that is now undergoing such rapid transformation”
About OSN
OSN is the leading service for premium entertainment servicing the MENA region in 22 countries featuring exclusive and in-demand premium global and local hit tv series and films. OSN delivers content across multiple divisions: OSN+, OSNtv, and b2b offerings in every market. Home to the most compelling content from around the world, OSN spearheads premium content including Western, Arabic, Turkish and more across divisions, distinctively known for broadcasting the latest content on the same day as the US, including popular series, blockbuster movies, and the best in kids and lifestyle programming.
OSN’s ambition is to deliver entertainment everywhere for everyone, which is informed by the company’s three key pillars: A customer-first approach, unrivaled exclusive content, and unbeatable value. By seamlessly bringing together Global Network Partnerships, Studios, and Originals, along with reimagined Linear channels, OSN provides an ecosystem of entertainment.