INTERNATIONAL movie producers will use Bahrain to launch a region-wide search for young Arab talent.

Gulf Atlantic Pictures will scout the Arab world for new actors to star in its upcoming film Rachel and Talal.

It comes as the company plans to turn Bahrain into a regional hub for filmmakers with the establishment of a 20,000sqm film studio and academy to tap into the emerging Gulf market.

Gulf Atlantic Pictures, previously Twickenham Film Group, and London-based Gulf Atlantic Studios, formerly Twickenham Films, are behind the Bahrain Film Studio and Academy, which was scheduled to be built by the end of the year, but a suitable location has still not been earmarked, causing delays.

“Rachel and Talal is scheduled to be shot in London next year,” said Gulf Atlantic Pictures executive producer James Black.

“A major American female star will play Rachel and a new young Arab actor will be searched via Bahrain to play
Talal.

“Rachel and Talal is in the veins of Slumdog Millionaire.

“We will soon search for an Arab actor or a new face to play a part
in this production. The search will be done
through Bahrain.

“This is part of our programme in creating a major Anglo-Arab production company operating between London and Bahrain.”

The company plans to shoot more Arabic language films for international audiences and hopes to use Bahrain as a hub to scout for Arab filmmakers, scriptwriters and actors.

“We are in talks to shoot Arab language films for the Arab market here in London and the US, the same way Bollywood films are now shot all over the world,” said Mr Black.

“Our Bahrain base will be key to this and will search for Arab talent in acting, writing and crew talent plus we will search for potential new Arab directors.

“Bahrain will be the hub for the talent and potential screening.
“I am also in talks with a major Los Angeles player in the studio business who will work with us on the Bahrain facility.”
ahmed@gdn.com.bh