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British-Yemeni Boxing Champ's Inspiring Rise to Global Stardom
4 Nov
Summary
- 'Giant' film portrays British-Yemeni boxer Naseem 'Naz' Hamed's journey
- Hamed overcame racism and Islamophobia to become a global sporting icon
- Film's premiere in the Middle East and North Africa region
The 5th edition of the Red Sea Film Festival will open on December 4th, 2025 with the premiere of Rowan Athale's film 'Giant'. The movie tells the inspiring story of British-Yemeni boxing champion Naseem 'Naz' Hamed, played by Egyptian-British actor Amir El Masry.
The film portrays Hamed's journey from his humble beginnings in Sheffield to becoming a world champion boxer. It explores the unlikely and tender relationship between Hamed and his Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, played by Pierce Brosnan. The film also highlights how Hamed faced down the abhorrent racism and Islamophobia that swept Britain in the 1980s and 90s to become a global sporting icon.
Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, says the selection of 'Giant' as the opening film embodies an artistic celebration of regional talents who have established their presence on the global film scene. The film's premiere in the Middle East and North Africa region reaffirms that Arab cinema today stands as a powerful force in the global film landscape.
