Saudi film ‘Champions’ to be released in March  

‘Champions,’ an authentic Saudi story, highlights the love for the game of football and how the coach helps train the team of young players and get them into shape for a game. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
Short Url
Updated 26 February 2022
Follow

Saudi film ‘Champions’ to be released in March  

DUBAI: Saudi film “Champions” will be released in cinemas across the Gulf on March 10.

It is a Saudi remake of the Spanish box office hit “Campeones,” a sports comedy about a basketball coach who works with a team of players who have learning disabilities. The original film won best picture at the Spanish Film Academy Goya Awards 2018.




“Champions” is a Saudi remake of the Spanish box office hit “Campeones.” (Supplied)

In the Saudi movie, actor Yassir Al-Saggaf plays the part of an arrogant assistant football coach called Khalid who is ordered by a court to do community service by coaching players with learning disabilities.

Besides Al-Saggaf, the diverse cast of young actors includes Omar Al-Zahrani, Khalid Al-Harbi and Fatima Al-Banawi.

Helmed by Spanish filmmaker Manuel Calvo, the movie’s screenwriters are Maram Taibah and Wael Al-Saeed from Saudi Arabia. It is produced by Oscar-winning producer Andres Vicente Gomez.


Jessica Alba hails AlUla during Saudi Arabia visit

Updated 19 December 2025
Follow

Jessica Alba hails AlUla during Saudi Arabia visit

  • On her Instagram profile, Alba described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene”

LONDON: Hollywood star Jessica Alba shared her admiration for AlUla during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, sharing a video of the ancient desert destination on her social media channels.

The short clip, posted Dec. 10, showed the “Fantastic Four” star spinning on the spot with the famous rock formations in the background.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba)

On her Instagram profile, she described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene,” adding: “Every direction carried the weight and beauty of ancient history - like wandering through a living museum.” 

The actress was in the Kingdom earlier this month to attend the Red Sea International Film Festival.

The actress was among a host of global stars who attended the the fifth edition of the RSlFF, which kicked off on Dec. 4 with a glittering red-carpet ceremony at Culture Square, the festival’s open-air hub.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba)

Alba joined an A-list lineup that included the likes of Adrien Brody, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kirsten Dunst, Vin Diesel, Queen Latifah, Dakota Johnson, Ana de Armas, Riz Ahmed, Naomie Harris and Uma Thurman, alongside Saudi, regional stars and international film legends.

The event ran until Dec. 13 and showcased more than 100 films from over 50 countries, with its mission to bridge East and West while spotlighting voices from the Middle East and Africa.

During her visit to the Kingdom, Alba also shared several “get ready with me” clips and behind-the-scenes shots from the red carpet ceremony.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba)

Alba’s visit comes as Saudi Arabia continues to attract global creatives and cultural figures, with AlUla increasingly positioned as a must-visit destination for international visitors as well as a shooting location for some of Hollywood’s biggest studios.