SET TO TAKE PLACE FROM DECEMBER 4-13, THE UPCOMING EDITION FOLLOWS THE RESOUNDING SUCCESS OF THE FOURTH RSIFF, A CINEMATIC CELEBRATION THAT DREW OVER 40,000 ATTENDEES.
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) today announced the dates for its highly anticipated fifth edition, set to take place from December 4-13 at its permanent home in Al-Balad, historical Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Marking a major milestone, RSIFF’s fifth anniversary promises to build on its legacy of championing cinematic excellence, fostering creativity, and supporting filmmakers from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
The announcement closely follows the resounding success of RSIFF’s most attended edition yet, which kicked off with the world premiere of Karim Shenawi’s THE TALE OF DAYE’S FAMILY. The fourth RSIFF, held from December 5-14, 2024, transformed Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district into a global hub for film, bringing together industry legends, visionary filmmakers, and enthusiastic cinephiles from across the world.
Last year’s theme, ‘The New Home of Film,’ celebrated the festival’s return to Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and set the stage for its biggest edition yet driving impactful industry connections, groundbreaking deals, and new partnerships. The 2024 festival saw record-breaking participation, with over 40,000 attendees and nearly 7,000 accredited guests, showcasing 122 films from 85 countries, including 61 premieres. A total of 302 screenings took place, with half of the films being world or international premieres, including 46 world premieres, 15 international premieres, and 53 MENA premieres. The success of this edition reinforced RSIFF’s growing impact as a major cultural and industry event.
Building on the festival’s success, the Red Sea Souk wrapped up a successful edition with 142 exhibiting companies, 40 Souk Talks speakers, and the Souk Project Market, which featured 24 projects in development or production and 7 works-in-progress in post-production by Arab, African, and Asian directors.
Presided over by Spike Lee, the festival’s two juries deliberated across 14 competition categories, with 16 feature films vying for top honours, alongside short films from the Arab world, Asia, and Africa featured in the New Saudi, New Cinema, and Arab Shorts programs.
The festival’s red carpet was a magnet for global stars, with this edition honoring Emily Blunt, Aamir Khan, Mona Zaki, Viola Davis, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Other notable attendees included Michelle Yeoh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Johnny Depp, Yousra, Vin Diesel, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Brendan Fraser, Mohamed Sami, and many more.
The 2024 edition also hosted 25 In-Conversation sessions with renowned figures such as Aamir Khan, Emily Blunt, Cynthia Erivo, Brendan Fraser, Mohamed Sami, and Spike Lee, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with some of the biggest names in global cinema.
Furthering its commitment to nurturing talent, the Red Sea Fund has now supported +280 projects, including one Oscar-nominated film, solidifying its role as a vital force in the regional and international film industry.
As the Festival prepares for its landmark fifth edition, it remains dedicated to celebrating storytelling, championing bold new voices, and shaping the future of cinema.
The Red Sea IFF is a grand celebration of film, bringing the best of world cinema to Jeddah. Over the past three editions, the Festival has showcased films from 77 countries and a lineup representing 47 different languages. The carefully curated selection includes nominations for the 2024 Academy Awards from the region, critically acclaimed award-winning filmmakers and films, classic cinema, and a spotlight on films from underrepresented voices underscoring the Festival’s commitment to cinematic excellence and bridging cultures.
The Festival has garnered significant recognition, winning many awards for best cultural and film events. It has achieved massive publicity, reaching millions of audiences worldwide, with thousands of press attendees. Regarded as Saudi Arabia’s highest-profile and most anticipated event, the Festival has captured the attention and acclaim of renowned industry figures worldwide and has been attended by tens of thousands of accredited visitors.
As the largest celebration of cinema and culture in the MENA region, the Festival features exciting new films on the big screen, alongside retrospective programs celebrating cinema masters, the latest Saudi films, feature and short film competitions, industry events, and masterclasses (In Conversations).
For ten exhilarating days (December 5-14), the Festival will transform the historic Jeddah Old Town, ‘Al-Balad’, into a cinematic wonderland, captivating film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and global audiences alike. “Al Balad,” is recognized as a UNESCO site that offers a captivating cultural experience reflecting the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Saafi)
