EXCLUSIVE: British boxer, model and campaign activist Ramla Ali is launching film and TV production company 786 Entertainment, which has the backing of Saudi Prince Faisal Al Saud.
Monday 9, Dec, 2024 {HMC} Olympic boxer Ali, who moved to England in 1989 as a refugee from the Somali Civil War, was one of Time Magazine’s 2023 Women of the Year.
She is now launching 786 Entertainment with her husband, manager and former coach, Richard A. Moore, and Saudi-owned Vainqueur Family Group.
Moore has previously produced sports docs Fighting For A City and Being AP. The Vainqueur Family Group is headed up by Prince Faisal’s business partner, Bilal Nasser.
786 says it will initially develop and produce projects with a focus on minority-led storylines and female-leaning narratives.
The company will have its headquarters in London but will also open a production office in Saudi Arabia with an eye to developing local talent.
The company has several projects in development, including Iron House, a story about the life and struggle of U.S. army veteran Bobby Body, a powerlifter who battled through child abandonment, homelessness and an IED to make it to the Paralympics in Paris.
The company also has plans to add an unscripted department to the business in the future.
Ali and Moore are executive producers on the recently wrapped biopic about Ali called In The Shadows, starring BAFTA winner Jasmine Jobson, Finn Cole, and Gershwyn Eustace Jnr.
Ali has a connection to Saudi Arabia, having become the first woman to compete in a professional boxing match in the country.
This week she and her production partners will be at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi to discuss the company.
Ramla Ali said today: “I’ve always had a passion for story telling since an early age, and it’s a tool that I’ve utilized throughout my sporting career.
When I first thought of launching a company, I wanted it to produce something I would be proud of, something that is supportive of others, and delivers a product that would be enjoyed around the world. 786 is all these things and I am so excited about what the future holds.
“The last six years spent around the development of my own project has taught me the importance of having and maintaining a creative voice and input when it comes to production, casting, marketing and distribution.
I’m beyond thrilled for this next chapter of my life, continuing to work with my husband and producing partner Richard, and alongside His Highness Prince Faisal & Bilal Nasser.”
His Highness Prince Faisal Al Saud, Chairman Vainqueur Group, commented: “The Kingdom of Saudi of Arabia has become an integral and important destination on the global map for sport, arts and culture over the last decade.
We have seen this through the rise of successful Riyadh Season, Red Sea Film Festival and numerous productions which have now partnered in the region.
One of our missions is to create lasting partnerships and opportunities that connect people, and ideas, across borders. We can point to this investment in 786 as a reflection of our purpose: to build bridges, foster growth, and support a future for all.
The vision of Saudi Arabia is to become the new land of opportunity, where everyone has an equal chance to be successful and be part of the amazing history of this country.
I am extremely proud, and grateful for being given the opportunity to contribute to investing in this vision.”
Bilal Nasser, partner at Vainqueur Group, added: “Vainqueur Family Group has decided to embark and invest in this new venture 786 Entertainment to further champion this new generation of young and important storytellers and producers.
I couldn’t be more excited to be doing this with an individual like Ramla Ali, who has proven herself on the world stage across multiple fields as both a taste maker and role model.
Someone who also shares a similar vision in championing underrepresented voices in the arts.”
SOURCE
By Andreas Wiseman
