Red Sea International Film Festival opens in Jeddah, bringing Hollywood to the Middle East

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival commenced on Thursday in Jeddah, spotlighting the rapid growth of Saudi Arabias film industry. Scheduled to run from December 4 to 13, the festival showcases over 100 films representing more than 70 countries.

The festivals main competitive section, Red Sea: Competition, features 16 films including narratives, animations, and documentaries from the Arab world, Asia, and Africa, all competing for the Yusr Awards, which will be announced at the closing ceremony.

The screenings are hosted in Jeddahs historic Al-Balad district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, blending local culture with global cinema. The jury for this years festival is chaired by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sean Baker, known for Anora, which received five Oscars. Baker remarked, Its extraordinary to see a festival grow so rapidly in significance and influence within the global film community.

The festival opened with Giant, a biographical film about British-Yemeni boxing legend Prince Naseem Naz Hamed. The movie stars Egyptian-British actor Amir El-Masry as Hamed and Pierce Brosnan as his trainer Brendan Ingle, directed by British filmmaker Rowan Athale. El-Masry noted the physical and emotional challenge of the role, while Athale highlighted his personal connection to Hameds story and the honor of debuting the film at the festival.

The opening night attracted international celebrities from Hollywood and Bollywood, including Adrien Brody, Sir Michael Caine, Vin Diesel, and Ana de Armas, all appearing on the red carpet. Actor Giancarlo Esposito emphasized the festivals role in uniting audiences through the celebration of cinema.

Established by Saudi Arabias Ministry of Culture and supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation, the festival receives funding from the kingdoms Public Investment Fund and private sponsors. It aims to promote regional filmmakers and foster global industry connections. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 goals, which focus on economic diversification, cultural development, and nurturing local creative talent, as the nation expands investment in film, gaming, and sports sectors.

Author: Logan Reeves