Watermelon Pictures Secures North American Distribution for ‘El Sett,’ the Umm Kulthum Biopic

Watermelon Pictures acquired North American distribution rights to ‘El Sett,’ a biopic of Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. The deal was negotiated by Munir Atalla, Head of Production & Acquisitions, Watermelon Pictures, and Mohamed Hefzy, co-producer and founding director of Film Clinic.

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Umm Kulthum, born in a Nile Delta village, became a vocalist whose career spanned Egypt’s shift from monarchy to republic and resonated with aspirations. Rolling Stone placed her at 61 on its 2023 ‘200 Greatest Singers of All Time’ list, ahead of Taylor Swift, Diana Ross and Elton John.

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Marwan Hamed directs; Mona Zaki stars as Umm Kulthum. Producers Tamer Morsy and Ahmed Badawy oversee production; Ahmed Mourad wrote the screenplay. Abdel Salam Moussa handles cinematography. The score is by Emmy-nominated Hesham Nazih (Moon Knight) and sound design by Academy Award nominee Wayne Pashley.

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The film world-premiered at the Marrakech International Film Festival in December 2025 and screened at the Rotterdam Film Festival earlier in 2026 as part of a Hamed retrospective.

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The acquisition positions Watermelon Pictures as a conduit for Arab narratives in North America. Distributing a film that blends artistry with Egypt’s twentieth-century political shifts seeks to broaden exposure to a cultural figure whose influence extends across the Arab region.

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Munir Atalla called the film a celebration of a nuanced artist whose influence endures and said Watermelon Pictures is honored to bring it to audiences. Marwan Hamed expressed pride in partnership and noted the distributor’s commitment to elevating Arab stories for North American viewers.

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No critical or opposing commentary was identified in the available sources.

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• “Umm Kulthum is an icon, but she’s also much more than that,” — Munir Atalla, Head of Production & Acquisitions, Watermelon Pictures

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• “El Sett is a powerful celebration of a nuanced artist whose influence continues to rock the world. We are honored to bring Marwan Hamed’s spectacular film to audiences.” — Munir Atalla, Head of Production & Acquisitions, Watermelon Pictures

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• “I am incredibly proud that Watermelon Pictures will introduce El Sett to North American audiences,” — Marwan Hamed, Director

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• “Their commitment to elevating Arab stories and connecting them with wider audiences makes them the ideal partner for this film. Umm Kulthum belongs not only to Egypt, but to the cultural history of an entire region, and I’m excited for new audiences to experience her extraordinary journey.” — Marwan Hamed, Director

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Watermelon Pictures plans a theatrical rollout of ‘El Sett’ across North America later in 2026, with dates and venues to be announced.

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