Skip to content

The 48Hr Film Challenge invites young, aspiring Saudi and Saudi-resident filmmakers to create a short film in just two days. The competition is a collaboration between The Alliance Française, French Consulate in Jeddah, and the Red Sea International Film Festival. Designed to prompt curiosity, innovation, and develop burgeoning film talent, the 48Hr Film Challenge will see the creation of intriguing shorts, in an imaginative race against the clock. The organizers invite applications from teams of creatives aged 18–25, comprising up to five participants and led by a Saudi director or scriptwriter.

In July , selected teams will receive an intensive two-day mentorship, with workshops in short film production. They’ll then embark on the 48Hr Film Challenge. Working around set themes, and with the inclusion of an unknown scenic or prop element, revealed just before the shoot, each team will work to beat the deadline, shooting and editing a short film of three to six minutes duration.

The challenge will culminate with screenings in August, where two teams will be awarded 48Hr Film Challenge trophies. The winning team leaders will go on to enjoy a residency in a film event in France in 2024.

  • Get together a minimum of two and up to five people. (We welcome entries from aspiring filmmakers of all levels – we embrace first-timers too!)
  • Ages 18 to 25 – Saudi nationals or Saudi residents.
  • The team leader must submit the form on behalf of the team.
  • The team leader – either the director or script writer – must be a Saudi nation
  • We want to know more about you and your motivations – send us a letter (in English) no more than 1000 words.
    • Telling us why you want to be involved in the 48Hr Film Challenge
    • What would you bring to it.
    • Why you want the chance to compete for a residency in France
  • A short script (This script could be something you will write with the suggested themes below, or a script you have written previously) – Submitting a script is optional.
  • Links to previous film or multimedia work – If found

Completed and submitted this form by the 24th of June  

  • You’re going to be shooting a short film of 3–6 minutes duration, it can be fiction or nonfiction, narrative or documentary.
  • It’ll explore at least one of the following themes: de-coding, playing, creating, or thinking.
  • There will also be a sub-theme to include – you can choose from memory, time, technology, or breath.
  • First things first, you’ll enjoy a two-day online briefing, mentoring, and workshops program. This will be an invaluable learning experience where you’ll learn about everything that goes into writing, producing, and filming a short. It will equip you with the knowledge and technical guidelines to complete the challenge. It’ll take place July 21st & 22nd , and all participants must attend (except for the writing workshop . That will be specifically for the writer and director) – your entry won’t be eligible otherwise.
  • You need to have your own financial resources to produce the film – that includes all necessary funding and equipment. (you can use any camera for filming including your smart phone camera)
  • Shooting the challenge will be July 28th & 29th There’s a twist! All shortlisted teams will face an imaginative challenge – 24 hours before the shoot, we’ll introduce a new element, and you’ll have to include it in your film. It could be anything – from a small object or artifact to a more significant scenic element like a tree.
  • This is a creative challenge – it demands new work! That means you cannot reuse a film, script (or any footage!) previously developed.
  • Film Audio must be in English. However you can shoot your film in Arabic, but it must be subtitled in English or French the day after the challenge.
  • If your film was shot in English (or without dialogue), no translation will be required then.
  • Once you wrap, the team leader will submit the film on behalf of the team.
  • After the shoot, all organizing partners (Alliance Française, the French Consulate, the Red Sea International Film Festival) can use the film for screening, marketing, and communication purposes.
  • The jury will review all films, with two teams awarded the 48Hr Film Challenge Trophy
  • A screening of the films and the award ceremony will be in August.
  • The two winning team leaders will go on to a residency program in France in 2024.
  • In the event of unforeseen circumstances or force majeure causing the competition to be canceled, the organizers cannot be held responsible vis-à-vis the candidates, for any reason whatsoever, and would be exempt from all charges (e.g. reimbursement of costs incurred). For reasons of organization and consistency, these regulations may be amended. In the event of any substantial changes, the organizers will notify the candidates as soon as possible.
  • The winners undertake to transfer, without reservation, the copyright they hold in the works produced for the competition to the organizers. They undertake to accept – for the purposes of the competition – the reproduction of their work, by any digital, sound, audiovisual, or multimedia means. This copyright cession is granted and maintained even in the event of a change in the winners’ professional or personal situation.
  • Any content considered inappropriate or plagiarized could lead to disqualification from the 48Hr Film Challenge.
  • Filmmakers agree to all interviews, photography, and video promotional material required by the Red Sea International Film Festival. The shortlisted contestants will be featured across all promotional campaigns (including media, social media, and on partner websites) in connection with the 48Hr Film Challenge.
  • Applying for the 48Hr Film Challenge is consent for your image and likeness to be used.