DUBAI: An upcoming feature by an emerging Saudi Arabia filmmaker is among a slate of new projects being developed by Dubai-based production company Ta Films, as it expands its presence in the regional film industry following the Cannes Film Festival success of the Yemen-set drama “The Station.”
The company has announced plans to begin production later this year on “Drowning,” which is a working title, the debut feature from Saudi director Mujtaba Saeed.
The film follows a man determined to see his father’s killer punished, only to find himself pulling a young boy into the same cycle of crime and corruption he is trying to escape.
The project has already attracted support from both the Red Sea Film Fund and the Ithra Film Fund, highlighting growing investment in Saudi filmmaking talent. It will be produced by Jordanian filmmaker Nadia Eliewat, who also co-wrote and produced “The Station.”
The expansion comes as Ta Films’ co-founder Shivani Pandya Malhotra increases her involvement with the company after recently stepping down from her role at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Foundation, where she helped guide the Red Sea International Film Festival through its formative years.
Founded in 2022 by Pandya Malhotra and Sangeeta Desai, Ta Films is led by Eliewat as CEO and creative director. The company strengthened its production capabilities last year through the acquisition of Eliewat’s Screen Project banner.
Beyond “Drowning,” Ta Films is also developing a feature film in partnership with Saudi media giant MBC Group and plans to expand its network of creative partnerships across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
“Production has always been where my passion began,” Pandya Malhotra said in a recently released statement. “Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to contribute to the growth of the film industry across the Middle East, supporting filmmakers, storytellers and emerging creative voices.”
She added: “The success of ‘The Station’ has reinforced our belief in the power of authentic storytelling and the extraordinary talent emerging from this region.”
