Alnoor Holdings, a Qatar-based Media group, announced at the ongoing Montreal Film Festival that it has entered the execution  phase for its Septology (seven-part) Film Franchise based on the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Over $1bn is allocated for the Epic production, “Muhammad the Messenger” that will be filmed in Qatar and selected global locations. The budget is one of the largest of its kind aligning it with productions such Harry Potter series, the Lord of the Rings and Avatar.
The Septology has been developed in collaboration with the acclaimed producer Barrie Osborne (Producer and Oscar Winner for Lord of the Rings, The Matrix Franchise, Godfather and many others), who has played a key role from the onset of the project. The storylines are being formulated to launch the first film by 2018.
Current market dynamics stipulate that successful epic franchises exceed $1bn budgets and such projects require dedicated time to amalgamate creative storytelling with associated sensitivities and complexities.   
Dr Azahar Iqbal, international productions executive of Alnoor Holdings, has engaged more than 200 experts, scholars and writers from various countries around the world to conceptualise the Septology. The process of enrichment of the storyline included experts from Hollywood and diverse cultural backgrounds to formulate it as a universal message for all humankind.
The storyline has a balance between fiction and non-fiction.  “The development stages of the Septology over the last five years engaged professionals and experts in workshops in Qatar, London, New York, Chicago, Paris, Malaysia, Turkey and other locations,” Dr Iqbal recalled.
Ahmed al-Hashemi, chairman of Alnoor Holdings, explained that Alnoor wants the Septology to reflect the true values and persona of the focus behind the epic. The development of this project has paid particular attention to quality of content, the latest cinematic technology, visual effects and storytelling.
“The films will bring a ‘wow’ factor in graphics and visual effects that has not been achieved before. We are also developing technology tools for storytelling that will certainly be an element of surprise for the industry,” he stated.
The Septology takes the protagonist(s) through a journey where he experiences the true love of his Creator - Almighty God, in ensuring that good prevails over evil. The protagonist(s) is on a quest for answers for the meaning and purpose of life. He or she is taken through a series of experiences that are natural and supernatural that develops his understanding of the relationship between divinity and humanity. The storyline of each film is creatively aligned to the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).