Red Sea International Film Festival Unveils “Global Selections” Program for Its Fifth Edition 2025
The Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled the “Global Selections” program for its fifth edition — a showcase that brings together some of the most acclaimed films of 2025, celebrated by audiences and critics alike at major international festivals. These films will be screened for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, including nine regional premieres and two Egyptian titles debuting in Saudi Arabia.
The global lineup features KOKUHO, Japan’s Oscar submission and one of the country’s highest-grossing box-office hits; GIRL, the directorial debut of Asian star Shu Qi; KWIBUKE, REMEMBER, a French-Rwandan drama starring Sonia Rolland; and ERUPCJA, led by global pop icon Charli XCX. Also included are the high-octane action film THE FURIOUS, produced by Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and NORMAL, directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Bob Odenkirk, blending Eastern and Western cinematic styles in a gripping mix of drama and suspense.
The program further presents Switzerland’s Oscar entry LATE SHIFT, a moving portrayal of a nurse’s challenging day; SAIPAN, a look back at the behind-the-scenes tensions surrounding the 2002 FIFA World Cup — with the Saudi national team playing a pivotal role; and PRIMAVERA, which transports audiences to 18th-century Venice in a story inspired by composer Antonio Vivaldi. Rounding out the list is the Cannes award-winning THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho — a gripping political drama set in Brazil’s military era of 1977.
From the Arab world, the program showcases two acclaimed Egyptian films that have received widespread praise at global festivals: The Settlement by Mohamed Rashad, and My Father’s Scent by Mohamed Siam — both deeply human explorations of family relationships and the emotional nuances of fatherhood.
Faisal Baltyour, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, stated:
“The ‘Global Selections’ program embodies a remarkable cinematic season this year — featuring 12 exceptional films that have captivated major international festivals. Carefully curated by our team, these films are being brought to our audience here in the heart of historic Jeddah. This program reflects our festival’s mission to build bridges between East and West, enrich the cultural scene, and cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading cinematic hub.”
List of “Global Selections” Films
GIRL
Taiwan — Directed by Shu Qi
In her deeply personal and elegant directorial debut, Asian cinema icon Shu Qi crafts a poignant coming-of-age drama. Set in a small, oppressive household, teenage Lin Xiaoli endures her abusive father’s rage while caring for her younger sister. Everything changes when she befriends rebellious classmate Lily, who introduces her to defiance and freedom. Quiet yet devastating, GIRL finds fragile beauty amid pain and announces Shu Qi as a striking new directorial voice.
KOKUHO
Japan — Directed by Lee Sang-il
A major Japanese box-office success, KOKUHO is Lee Sang-il’s long-awaited passion project, inspired by his 15-year fascination with Kabuki theater and the “onnagata” — male actors who play female roles. Spanning five decades from 1964 Nagasaki, the story follows two Kabuki performers whose bond of brotherhood and rivalry explores ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of artistic greatness. Visually rich and emotionally resonant, the film stars Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama.
KWIBUKE, REMEMBER
Belgium, Rwanda — Directed by Jonas Daedike
Belgian-Rwandan basketball player Lea is asked to join Rwanda’s national team two decades after fleeing genocide. As she returns, buried memories resurface — of exile, silence, and fractured identity. A haunting meditation on trauma and resilience, KWIBUKE, REMEMBER transcends personal drama to tell a universal story of survival and healing.
LATE SHIFT
Switzerland, Germany — Directed by Petra Volpe
Switzerland’s Oscar entry, Late Shift, is a heartfelt ode to caregivers everywhere. Following a nurse navigating an overworked surgical ward, the film captures the emotional and ethical weight of her decisions. Through a powerful central performance by Yoni Benesch, Volpe crafts an urgent and compassionate portrait of those who care for others — and asks, who cares for them?
MY FATHER’S SCENT (KOLONIA)
Egypt — Directed by Mohamed Siam
Set over a single tense night, a father and son confront old wounds in a claustrophobic apartment. What begins as a confrontation becomes a poetic reckoning with love, loss, and the possibility of forgiveness. With remarkable performances, My Father’s Scent is a tender, haunting study of the fragile bond between father and son.
NORMAL
USA, Canada — Directed by Ben Wheatley
In this darkly comic and violent thriller, cultures collide in the small Minnesota town of “Normal.” Sheriff Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk) stumbles into a night of chaos that links his sleepy town to a brutal Yakuza showdown in Osaka. Co-written by Odenkirk and John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, the film is sharp, absurd, and far from “normal.”
PRIMAVERA
Italy, France — Directed by Damiano Michieletto
Set in 18th-century Venice, Primavera tells the story of Cecilia, a gifted orphan violinist at the Ospedale della Pietà — the girls’ home where Antonio Vivaldi once taught. When Vivaldi discovers her talent, Cecilia’s fate is set in motion in a tale that intertwines music, art, and oppression with timeless emotional resonance.
SAIPAN
Ireland, UK — Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa & Glenn Leyburn
Revisiting Ireland’s 2002 World Cup turmoil, Saipan blends tension, humor, and national pride. Steve Coogan stars as coach Mick McCarthy opposite newcomer Iyana Hardwick as fiery star Roy Keane. Expect laughter, conflict, and a cameo appearance by the Saudi national team.
THE FURIOUS
Hong Kong — Directed by Kenji Tanigaki
An epic martial arts odyssey uniting Asia’s top action stars — Shi Miao, Joe Taslim, Jeeja Yanin, and Yayan Ruhian — in a visceral tale of justice and vengeance. Produced by Bill Kong, The Furious honors the golden age of Asian action cinema while pushing the genre into thrilling new territory.
THE SETTLEMENT (AL-MUSTA’MARAH)
Egypt — Directed by Mohamed Rashad
After his father’s death in a factory accident, young Hossam accepts a job offer designed to hide the truth. Torn between survival, love, and guilt, he faces a web of corruption and moral decay. Using sound and industrial noise to heighten tension, Rashad delivers a haunting portrayal of oppression and loss.
THE SECRET AGENT
Germany, France, Brazil, Netherlands — Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho
In 1977 Brazil under military dictatorship, a leftist academic (Wagner Moura) becomes a fugitive while trying to protect his son. Blending political intrigue, satire, and cinematic tension, the film won Best Actor and Best Director at Cannes and is Brazil’s official Oscar entry.
ERUPCJA
USA, Poland — Directed by Pete Ohs
Pop star Charli XCX leads this stylish, interwoven ensemble drama set over one eventful weekend in Warsaw. As secrets unravel and relationships collide, ERUPCJA explores desire and emotional chaos with a vibrant energy reminiscent of the Before trilogy — yet entirely its own.
The Red Sea International Film Festival celebrates the best of Arab and international cinema in Jeddah, the “Bride of the Red Sea.” Its diverse programming spans restored cinematic treasures, bold new voices, and international showcases. Alongside screenings, the festival hosts artists, filmmakers, and industry professionals from across the globe — featuring competitions for feature and short films, live concerts, and a rich calendar of workshops and panels designed to support and nurture emerging talent.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi)
