JEDDAH: British Indian filmmaker Rowan Athale’s “Giant,” the boxing biopic starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan, is set to open the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The festival held a press conference on Nov. 4 at Culture Square in Al-Balad to announce the lineup and major highlights of the event, which takes place from Dec. 4-13.
Returning with the theme “For the Love of Cinema,” this year’s edition promises more than 100 films from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Asia and Africa, alongside exclusive screenings, industry initiatives and a renewed focus on women filmmakers and global collaborations.
Faisal Baltyuor, the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “Every year our priority is to connect with the public and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. This year we’ve introduced a dedicated space where filmmakers can meet audiences, along with a special area for children to experience cinema.
“The festival’s slogan truly reflects its foundation, nurturing passion and creativity from an early age. Through our new program, Rising Talents — The Voices of Tomorrow, we’re empowering young storytellers aged 10-16 across regions like Jazan, Makkah, Qassim and others. We’ve already received remarkable films, and it’s inspiring to see such quality and vision emerging from across the Kingdom.”
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, managing director of the RSIFF, expressed pride in the festival’s growth and impact, particularly through the Red Sea Souk, and said: “We’re really proud of what we’ve built in the market. The souk is now prominent regionally and globally. This year we have 15 films supported by the Red Sea Fund, with six official submissions for the Academy Awards. We’re also showcasing 37 women filmmakers from France to Taiwan and Palestine to Kenya, reflecting true diversity.”
She added that the souk was involved in 40 projects in development and production, and eight series in collaboration with Film Independent.
Fionnuala Halligan, director of international programs at the Red Sea Film Foundation, and who has joined the festival team for the first time this year, described the lineup as rich and wide-ranging.
She added: “This is a festival for everyone; it’s really inclusive. From films for families and children to mature themes, the lineup represents a global cinematic conversation.”
Among the key announcements, the RSIFF revealed its newly updated Red Sea Film Festival app, offering a seamless, eco-friendly digital experience.
The Arab Spectacular program will feature regional titles including “Palestine 36” by Annemarie Jacir; Haifaa Al-Mansour’s “Unidentified”; and “A Matter of Life and Death” by Anas Ba-Tahaf.
The International Spectacular will present global premieres such as “Couture” starring Angelina Jolie, “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” “Scarlet,” “Farruquito — A Flamenco Dynasty,” and “Desert Warrior,” which was filmed in Saudi Arabia.
