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Saudi entertainment giant Alamiya acquires Lyra Pictures in landmark deal

The company, with a heritage spanning five decades, has unveiled its acquisition of Lyra Pictures, a rising star in the film development arena

Wesam Kattan, Co-founder of Lyra Pictures
Wesam Kattan, Co-founder of Lyra Pictures

Saudi entertainment company Alamiya has made a resounding announcement, marking a significant stride in the Middle East’s film production landscape.

The company, with a heritage spanning five decades, has unveiled its acquisition of Lyra Pictures, a rising star in the film development arena.

Founded in the 1970s, Alamiya initially ventured into cinema and television production to meet the demands generated by the oil boom, but later shifted its focus due to cinema bans in the region.

Lyra Pictures, co-founded by industry veteran Wesam Kattan and strategy consultant Bassma El-Afghani, has been making waves with its mission to elevate regional storytelling.

The company’s approach combines global best practices with regional intricacies and data-driven insights, positioning it as an early disruptor in the industry.


Alamiya, Lyra Pictures unite creativity

“This acquisition goes beyond business. It is about setting a precedent in the regional and local film industry. With Lyra Pictures under our wing, we combine traditional and modern film approaches to create something unique,” Sultan Al Muheisen, Chairman and CEO of Alamiya said.

“Alamiya’s scale and reach, paired with our story-first approach, will create a synergy that promises to introduce innovative strategies to storytelling in the Middle East. We’re excited about what the future holds,” Wesam Kattan, Co-founder of Lyra Pictures said.

This new deal is aimed to deliver groundbreaking cinematic experiences, blending top-notch production facilities with a forward-thinking approach to content creation.

The collaboration aims to establish an innovative film studio in Saudi Arabia, fostering local talent and IP while welcoming international productions.

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