Red Sea International Film Festival I Red Sea Lodge announces the winners of it’s two production grants worth $500,000 each

September 25th, 2020, Jeddah , Saudi Arabia 

 

The Red Sea International Film Festival announced the selection of twelve projects for its first edition of the Red Sea Lodge: Script & Feature lab. Today, an eminent jury composed of Nadia Turincev, Meinolf Zurhorst and Yousry Nasrallah selected and announced the winners of the two $500,000 production grants. 

 

The Red Sea Lodge Production Grant for a Saudi Project was awarded to Sharshaf by Hind Alfahhad, written by Hana Alomair and produced by Talal Ayel. The jury said they were enamoured by the “Touching and strong female character, and the bonds in a relationship that can bring us together and tear us apart.” They were also intrigued that it was set in “A period of Saudi Arabia’s history the world knows so little about, unveiled to us by Hind Alfahhad.”  

 

Hind Alfahhad’s Sharshaf is set in 1978. Haila, the daughter of a conservative Imam, marries Mosa’ed,  the son of a rich and well-known fabric stores owner. The young couple spend their honeymoon in Cairo. Sharshaf is a romantic drama that follows Haila as she gets to know what she wants through the magic of cinema and how this discovery is challenged later as extremism invades the society. 

 

The Red Sea Lodge Award for an Arab Project was awarded to Bullets & Bread by Mohammad Hammad, produced by Kholoud Saad and Mohamed Hefzy. Mohammed Hammad’s Bullets & Bread is about Youssef, a conscript serving his compulsory military service on the Egyptian eastern desert border who dreams of becoming a writer. Awad is a dangerous bandit from one of those tribes roaming that remote desert region who dreams of giving a better life for his family in Cairo. Their paths were not meant to cross but a true friendship will grow between them. 

 

The jury enjoyed the dynamic at the film’s heart which they described as “Soldier and Gypsy; Laurel and Hardy; Friendship and Adversity. We can’t wait to be part of this road trip, this cinematic voyage.”  

 

The Jury also gave a special mention to the Saudi Project Four Acts of Disruption directed by Hussam AlHulwah and produced by Mohammad Alhamoud, which will be awarded $25,000 by the Red Sea Lodge for further development. The story is set in the 1930s while the newly formed Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is adjusting to the arrival of American oil prospectors. The jury gave special recognition to the project and stated “The film has huge potential and we hope that Hussam AlHulwah and Mohammad Alhamoud can continue to develop the project and bring it to fruition.”  

 

The six Saudi projects selected for the inaugural Red Sea Lodge: Basma written by Fatima Al-Banawi and directed by Ali Alsumayin, Practicing Polygamy directed by Malak Qouta, Four Acts of Disruption directed by Hussam AlHulwah, When The Star Goes Down directed by Mohammed Salman, Sharshaf directed by Hind Alfahhad and Hejj to Disney directed by Maha Al-saati.  

 

The six Arab projects: Scheherazade Goes Silent directed by Amira Diab, Inchalla A boy directed by Amjad Alrasheed, The Arabic Interpreter directed by Ali Kareem, Bullets & Bread directed by Mohammed Hammad, The Basement Notes directed by Hadi Ghandour, and I Am Arzé directed by Mira Shaib. 

 

In collaboration with the TorinoFilmLab, the Lodge hand-picked twelve emerging filmmakers, pairing each with an experienced mentor to support and enhance their work throughout the creative process.  

The comprehensive program is for directors and producers, with scriptwriters if on board, to hone and further all aspects of their vision. Every stage of filmmaking was explored, from script consultations to working with experts in the fields of directing, cinematography and sound, through to post-production as well as a commercial focus on financing, sales, and audience engagement.  

 

On another note of exciting news: Director Maha Al-Saati’s Red Sea Lodge project Hejj To Disney was selected for TIFF Filmmaker Lab, and for the upcoming development programmes at Malmo Arab Film Festival (MAFF) and El-Gouna Film Festival. Saudi director Al Saati will also participate in The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Residency in 2021. 

Red Sea International Film Festival | Red Sea Lodge Announces Jury Awarding two production grants of $500,000 on September 25th, 2020

September 6th, 2020, Jeddah – Saudi Arabia  

Russian film producer Nadia Turincev, the highly-respected producer, commissioner and writer Meinolf Zurhorst and the award-winning Egyptian film director Yousry Nasrallah shall make up the jury presiding over the twelve projects taking part in the inaugural Red Sea Lodge Residency.  

 

The jury will award two production grants worth $500,000 each in an online ceremony that will take place on September 25..  

 

Nasrallah commented, “It is with great pleasure that I accept the responsibility to be part of the jury of the Red Sea Film Lodge. I sincerely hope that this generous production grant will help Arab filmmakers and Arab cinema reach new heights.” 

 

“As a commissioner for ARTE, I have overseen the development of between 200 and 300 films,” said Zurhorst. “In recent years”, I have been particularly enamoured with the inroads made by Arab films, which makes me excited at the prospect of learning about these exciting new projects from Saudi and the Arab world.”  

 

Turincev said, “The Red Sea Lodge production grant is a fantastic opportunity for Arab filmmakers to bring their projects to life, giving the world a chance to discover new emerging talents.” 

 

The Red Sea Lodge Residency resumes as a digital event on the 19th of October, The twelve projects, six from Saudi and six from the Arab world will take part in events leading up to the granting of the two production awards on September 25.  

 

All twelve of the selected projects will take part in the digital meetings, that shall prepare them to pitch their films to the TorinoFilmLab digital meeting, an International co-production forum featuring projects developed through the TFL programmes – ScriptLab, FeatureLab, SeriesLab and the Red Sea Lodge. The TorinoFilmLab digital meeting will take place in November 2020.  

 

In collaboration with the TorinoFilmLab, the Lodge hand-picked twelve emerging filmmakers and paired each with an experienced mentor to support and enhance their work throughout the creative process. Designed for projects at any stage of development, the comprehensive program is for directors and producers, with scriptwriters if onboard, to hone and further all aspects of their vision. 

 

TorinoFilmLab Executive Director Savina Neirotti says, “The collaboration with the Red    Sea Film Lodge has exceeded all expectations, even with the interruption caused by the unforeseeable global pandemic. The twelve projects have developed and evolved into fantastic projects and we are sure a large number of them will end up as films, whether they are awarded the production grant or not”.         

    

Every stage of filmmaking is explored, from script consultations to work with experts in the fields of directing, cinematography and sound, through to post-production as well as a commercial focus on financing, sales, and audience engagement. Structured around diverse, stimulating exchanges with colleagues and mentors, the program is designed to enrich projects through multiple approaches and perspectives. 

The final phase of the Lodge and the awarding of the grants was due to take place at the Red Sea International Film Festival in March, which was unable to take place due to coronavirus and the declaration of a global pandemic. 

Red Sea Film Festival Foundation | Community Relief Fund

June 29th, 2020, Jeddah , Saudi Arabia  37 Saudi and Saudi-based filmmakers supported by the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation | Community Relief Fund. Hardship grants totalling 93,100 SAR handed out to aid filmmakers adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic and suffering from financial difficulty.  

 

Launched on March 17th, in response to COVID-19 and the precautionary measures taken in the cultural sector, the 200,000 SAR Red Sea Film Festival Foundation | Community Relief Fund aids freelance Saudi filmmakers sustaining a financial loss resulting from cancelled/postponed gigs or lost opportunity during the ongoing pandemic.  

 

Thus far, Community Relief Fund recipients have awarded grants to 12 above-the-line filmmakers, and 25 below-the-line film industry workers. The split has been 70% males and 30% females. 

 

The total amount available from the fund to help filmmakers is 200,000 SAR.  

 

Filmmakers in difficulty can still apply to the fund by submitting applications on the festival’s website and are encouraged to do so. https://redseafilmfest.com/community-fund 

Red Sea International Film Festival announces Tamheed Fund award winners

The Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled the two projects selected for the Tamheed Fund, each receiving production grants of $500,000. 

 

Two aspiring filmmakers, Faris Godus and Mohammed Alholayyil, will be supported to produce their first films, The Book Of Sun and Forty Years and a Night, respectively. 

 

Sohayb Godus joins his brother Faris’ project, The Book of Sun as the producer, while Abdulrahman Khawj will produce Forty Years and a Night. 

 

The competition received 24 submissions, two of which were by female directors. Projects covered diverse geographic and social environments, from major cities to villages and deserts. A range of schools and approaches were represented, including realism, neorealism, psychodrama, sci-fi, and fantasy, with one animation project. The entrants tackled various themes, exploring cultural heritage in the Kingdom, complicated family relationships, passion for art, as well as self-realization. Several films focused on the changes taking place in contemporary Saudi society, exploring and documenting its transformation. 

 

The Tamheed Fund was established to support the realization of Saudi-led feature films to premiere at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival, taking place in March 2020. The open call targeted filmmakers from Saudi and focused on films telling authentic local stories, with innovative visual approaches and daring narrative tools. 

 

The Fund is part of the Red Sea International Film Festival’s broad slate of programs and initiatives designed to support the rapidly developing Saudi film industry by encouraging a robust and sustainable infrastructure. It is added to the mentoring and development program including the Red Sea Lodge, as well as a special omnibus film project directed by the new wave of Saudi female directors. With further programs to be announced. 

 

Synopsis of the awarded films: 

Knowledge Sun tells the story of Hussam, a teenager set to graduate high school in 2010, until he becomes distracted by the wave of Saudi YouTube content creation reaching its peak. As he decides to make a no-budget feature film, he puts his whole educational future at risk. 

 

Forty Years and a Night is the story of a family gathered together on Eid al-Fitr, discovering deep secrets hidden from each other for decades. The revelations will poison relationships, threaten the stability of the family, transforming their memories forever. 

 

About the awarded filmmakers: 

The Godus Brothers 

Sohayb and Faris Godus came to fame through YouTube and digital media collective Telfaz11, working primarily in their Jeddah office. The brothers have also established their own pathways in film: Fares has created a name for himself directing and editing, while Sohayb developed his acting and production skills. Together, the Godus brothers made the short film Depressing Scene (2016) and recently participated in Another Planet, a TV series on Saudi TV for the 2019 Ramadan season. 

Mohammed Alholayyil 

Born in 1997 in Al-Ahsa, the young writer and filmmaker has made several short films including Mator and 300KM. Screened in multiple Arab and regional film festivals to critical acclaim, his work is characterized by its in-depth analysis of issues with a dark sense of humor. 

Abdulrahman Khawj 

Among the pioneers of the independent Saudi film movement, Khawj founded Cinepoetics film production company in Jeddah. He has produced and directed two feature films: Poetry Bride (2017) and Physical Specifications of Coffee (2019). He has contributed to multiple short and feature films and lectures in screenwriting in Effat University. 

Media Alert | Red Sea Lodge | Tribeca Film Institute Network | Sharshaf April 21, 2020, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 

Hind Al Fahhad’s Red Sea Lodge Project Sharshaf got selected in Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) Network, in partnership with the Red Sea Film Festival.  

 

The Saudi film project, Sharshaf, has been chosen to partake in the Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) Virtual Network, in partnership with the Red Sea Film Festival. Sharshaf, directed by Hind Al Fahhad, written by Hana Alomair, and produced by Talal Ayeel, will represent Saudi Arabia at TFI Network, which will take place from the 27th of April till the 1st of May 2020. TFI Network will be conducted virtually this year due to the ongoing global crisis.  

 

Sharshaf is one of the inaugural Red Sea Lodge Projects. The Red Sea Lodge programme, launched as a partnership between the Red Sea Film Festival and Torino Film Lab where the 12 selected projects got to participate in 3 residency workshops; the first of which took place in November 2019. Six of the projects were from Saudi Arabia and six from the Arab world. The final workshop of the programme scheduled to take place in March has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus measures.  

 

TFI Network presented by AT&T is a filmmaker / industry market hosted each year during the Tribeca Film Festival® by TFI. These market meetings provide an opportunity for filmmakers to meet and make valuable connections with industry executives, financiers, producers, marketers, and other key parties who can potentially help their projects. 

 

43 projects will take part in the event, four of which are from the Arab region. These exceptional projects, chosen both through partnerships and the application pool, are in all stages of development, production or post-production. These filmmakers also receive year-round mentorship and professional guidance by the TFI Artist Programs department. 

 

Set in Riyadh in 1978, Sharshaf tells the story of a conservative Muslim woman “Haila“, who expands her understanding of the society around her and builds bridges in her new marriage after her eyes are opened to the magic of cinema.  

 

Director Hind Al Fahhad is a Saudi filmmaker who started directing in 2012. She began with short films which screened in local and international film festivals such as the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, and the Arab Film Festival in Arizona. She has also directed several television episodes.  

 

Producer Talal Ayeel has worked as a film director and producer since 2002 in Saudi Arabia.  

 

Screenwriter Hana Alomair is a Saudi writer, filmmaker and film critic. Her script Hadaf won Best Script in the Saudi Film Competition in 2008, and her second short film The Complaint won the award for Best Short Fiction Film in Saudi Film Competition in 2015.  

Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation Launches a Community Relief Fund to Support Saudi Filmmakers

March 17, 2020, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | The non-profit Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation announced a fund of SAR200,000 in the form of emergency community relief grants to support Saudi filmmakers.  

 

The fund aims to help freelance Saudi filmmakers who have sustained a financial loss resulting from cancelled/postponed gigs or opportunity directly related to the Coronavirus COVID-19 precautionary measures. All Saudis working in the film industry are eligible to the one-time emergency grant of up to SAR5,000 on merit basis. Applications will be open until the fund is exhausted. People who meet the criteria should apply here: https://redseafilmfest.com/community-fund 

 

The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation champions the Kingdom’s burgeoning cinema and cultural scene by nurturing audience engagement, supporting filmmakers and strengthening the film industry. Established in 2018, the Foundation chairman is the Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Farhan Al Saud. 

 

 

Line-Up and Jury Announced for the first Red Sea Shorts Competition

27 February 2020, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | The Red Sea International Film Festival announces Tim Redford as President of the jury for the inaugural Red Sea Shorts competition. Redford is a leader in the global short film scene through his work with  Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the Short Film Conference, and Curtocircuíto International Festival of Short Films. He is joined by Tunisian actress Najla Ben Abdallah, and Saudi screenwriter and cinema pioneer Ahmad Almulla.  

 

Festival Director Mahmoud Sabbagh commented: “Short films have a special place in Saudi film culture; it is a format that allows for experimentation and expression. The competition also taps into a lively Arab shorts community to showcase the best of next-generation filmmaking. It’s exciting to welcome Tim Redford, with his global outlook, to helm the jury for the first Red Sea Shorts program.” 

 

With 13 films from seven countries, a theme found throughout the shorts is the effects of shifting social contexts. 

 

The competition, which is open to all Arab directors, represents the pulse of next-generation Arab creativity with a curated selection of short films produced or directed by the most exciting contemporary voices. The line-up explores the limits of what short films can be. 

 

Jury President Tim Redford (France) has dedicated his career to diverse film organizations across Europe, especially those supporting short films. Since 2015, he has been part of the executive team for Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, where he co-ordinates the international selection committee, the African Perspectives’ program, and the online submission platform Short Film Depot. He also serves on the board of the Short Film Conference, the only non-profit worldwide organization dedicated to the short film community.  

 

Born in Tunis, Najla Ben Abdallah (Tunisia) began her career in front of the cameras with TV commercials. In 2009, she featured in her first TV show, the Ramadan TV series “Donia”. Her first cinematic role was Lilly in “False Note”. In 2015, she starred in the Tunisian film “Thala Mon Amour” by Mehdi Hmili. Following, she starred alongside Sami Bouajila in Mehdi Barsaoui’s film, “A Son,” (2019) which had its world premiere at the 76th Venice International Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Film. 

 

A major contributor to the cultural life of Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Almulla (KSA) is a poet, and arts developer and cultural consultant. He has served as Director of the Saudi Film Festival (2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019); Director of the Poetry Festival (2015, 2016, 2017); Executive Manager and Member of the board for the Literary Club, Dammam (2006–2010); today, he is a consultant to the Saudi Culture and Arts Society.  

 

Films Overview 

…And When Do I Sleep? 

Husam AlSayed | KSA | Arabic | 16 mins 

Cast: Mustafa Turkistani, Fatima Husein 

In the dead of night, vision is warped by insomnia – Adam hears a woman call out, but there is no-one there. Dreamlike and eerie, as if being plunged into a twisted dream. 

 

Barakat  

Manon Nammour | Lebanon | Arabic | 14 mins 

Cast: Mounir Maasri, Camille Salameh, Rudy Ghafari, Christine Choueiri  

An aging man prepares for his grandson’s wedding in an ever-changing Beirut. This affecting and elegant drama moves beyond nostalgia to tackle constant transformation, memory and its loss. 

 

Clouds 

Muzna Almusafer | Oman | Arabic | 15 mins 

Cast: Bandar Alshihri, Hassan Almashani, Amal Bait Noyra 

A journey inside a tribal Omani society undergoing rapid transformation in 1978. Dablan faces pressure from his village to kill a leopard – instead, he resolves to set the animal free. 

 

Goin’ South 

Mohammed Alhamoud | KSA | Arabic | 14 mins 

Cast: Fatima AlBanawi, Ayman Mutahar, Alanoud Yousef 

Newlyweds pay their first visit to the groom’s hometown. Despite a modern approach to dating, discovering they come from two different worlds, their relationship is put to the test. 

 

The Return 

Charlie Kouka | Tunis/France | Arabic and French | 22 mins 

Cast: Fares Landolsi, Salim Kechiouche, Sondes Belhassen 

Returning home after seven years abroad, Tarek meets Khaled, who is everything he isn’t: successful, handsome, and helpful. Charlie Kouka immerses the audience into their inner turmoil, to explore the consequences of staying and leaving. 

 

Ongoing Lullaby 

Hisham Fadel | KSA | Arabic | 12 mins 

Cast: Sarah Taibah  

An intimate portrait of daily life for a lonely, yet independent, woman who is hounded by melancholic thoughts and doubts. A personal and moving performance by Sarah Taibah, meticulously captured by Hisham Fadel.  

 

So What if the Goats Die 

Sofia Alaoui | Morocco/France | Arabic | 22 mins 

Cast: Fouad Oughaou, Moha Oughaou 

Abdellah, a solitary mountain shepherd, discovers a village abandoned in supernatural circumstances that destabilize his most fundamental beliefs. A trek through an arid, mountainous landscape stresses an encounter with the fragility of human existence. 

 

Soukoon 

Farah Shaer | Lebanon | Arabic | 14 mins 

Cast: Hiba Sleiman Alhamad, Lara Ayazri, Ghassan Chemali 

With her marriage in turmoil, Mariam discovers she’s pregnant. Trapped in a prison of lies and societal pressures, she yearns to break free. A blunt and uncompromising look at sheer perseverance in the face of brutal obstacles. 

 

Sunday at Five 

Sherif El Bendary | Egypt | Arabic | 17 mins 

Cast: Hadeel Hassan, Khairy Beshara, Ayten Amin, Sedky Sakhr 

Selfishness makes Hadeel unstoppable – even if getting what she wants is at the expense of others. Conflating fact and fiction, this is a tale of mind games and manipulation.  

 

The Ghosts We Left at Home 

Faris RJ | Jordan | Arabic | 21 mins 

Cast: Nadeem Rimawi  

Faris RJ patterns unfinished thoughts into a distinctive visual language in this fragmentary and brooding meditation on a man and a city, featuring an utterly compelling performance by Nadeem Rimawi.  

 

The Girls Who Burned the Night 

Sara Mesfer | KSA | Arabic | 24 mins 

Cast: Jana Qomri, Haya Almari 

A small act of rebellion causes tension, then understanding, between teenage sisters Sasabel and Wasan. Impatient to grow-up, they stay awake together through a restless night, exploring dreams and hopes. 

 

The Other Cheek 

Sandro Canaan | Egypt | Arabic | 9 mins 

Cast: Tarek Abdelaziz, Dora Youssef, Mohey Dorgham 

After Nashaat’s daughter is viciously attacked by his neighbors’ dog, he is indignant to read claims she provoked the attack and takes frustrations out on the perpetrator in this tale of guilt, repentance and revenge. 

 

Ward’s Henna Party 

Morad Mostafa | Egypt | Arabic | 23 mins 

Cast: Halima, Ward, Marina Victor 

Halima, a Sudanese refugee, living in Egypt, takes her 7-year-old daughter Ward to work, painting henna for a bride-to-be. The average day takes an unexpected turn when curious Ward sets off exploring. 

Red Sea Film Festival Foundation Restores “Al-Ikhtiyar” (“The Choice”) by legendary Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine

26 February 2020, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation has restored Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine’s masterpiece “Al-Ikhtiyar” (The Choice). The murder mystery will screen in the Festival’s Retrospective and Classics section. The event marks the first big screen projection of the legendary director’s work in Saudi Arabia.  

 

Co-scripted by author Naguib Mahfouz, this murder mystery is a deep dive into the human psyche, exploring the social conscience of Egypt in light of the Six-Day War. In it, a body turns up with a photograph in its pocket. The corpse is the twin brother of a famous author and social climber and, from that moment on, the writer’s life takes a drastically different course. 

 

The film stars the “Cinderella of Egyptian cinema” and one of the most influential actresses in the Middle East and the Arab world, Souad Hosni alongside the brilliant Izzat Al-Alayli, Hoda Sultan, Mahmoud Al-Meliguy, and more. 

  

The restoration was possible thanks to a unique collaboration between the Festival and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.  

 

The screening, which will be attended by the Director’s family, Gaby, Ramzy, and Marianne Khory, is a central pillar in the Festival’s 15-strong Retrospectives & Classics program and is one of 10 films restored by the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation. Festival Director Mahmoud Sabbagh commented: “It is hugely significant to screen Youssef Chahine film in Saudi Arabia, especially at such a historic moment. It is an honor to connect the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation with the heritage of the late master’s work, and to have the opportunity to restore this seminal work to its full glory, allowing a new generation to encounter one of the greatest films from the Arab canon.” 

 

Red Sea Film Festival Foundation has also restored two rare films by late Saudi photographer Safouh Naamani, which will screen at the Festival. The two works from the pioneer of film and photography inside the Kingdom document the urban and social history of Saudi Arabia, with a focus on Mecca and Jeddah, they are the restored version of “The Pilgrimage to Mecca” (1963), and a special short entitled “Jeddah Between 1954–1968,” which was developed and restored from 16 mm film, to create a panorama of the city.  

 

Furthermore in the RETROSPECTIVES section, the Foundation has restored nine key works of by Egyptian neorealist director Khairy Beshara, which will premiere as part of a full retrospective of Beshara’s work. 

 

The Retrospectives and Classics program is specially curated to give local and international audiences the opportunity to encounter works that have shaped collective memory. 

Red Sea International Film Festival’s first edition to host “When Fellini Dreamt of Picasso” exhibition

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; February 20th, 2020 – The Red Sea International Film Festival announced today that its first edition will host the “When Fellini Dreamt of Picasso” exhibition, in celebration of 100 years since the birth of the great Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and La Cinémathèque française, the exhibition will launch on March 14th, 2020, for a duration of 5 weeks. This announcement comes in line with the Foundation’s aim to highlight vibrant cultural legacy; through its key initiatives, it forges dialogues between the past and the future, and between diverse international perspectives. 

 

“When Fellini Dreamt of Picasso” sheds light on the story of how many of Fellini’s films were inspired by Picasso’s paintings, though the two great artists only met once. This exhibition first took place last year in France, and thanks to La Cinémathèque française, Fellini’s unique accessories from the films, such as posters, garments and images will be displayed at the Al-Majlis Al-Baladi exhibition space in Historic Jeddah – Al Balad, Saudi Arabia.  

 

Mahmoud Sabbagh, Festival Director, said: “When I visited the ‘When Fellini Dreamt of Picasso’ exhibition in Paris, I was mesmerised. It is a dream to join the worldwide ‘100 years of Fellini’ celebrations by having this cultural collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and La Cinémathèque française and bringing the spectacular work of Fellini and Picasso to Historic Jeddah and to the Saudi audience.” 

 

In 2005, La Cinémathèque française made its home within the modern building designed by Frank Gehry and is now in a position to exhibit, host, restore, and display its collection in 2 exhibition spaces, programme films on 3 screens, receive students and researchers in its library and archive centre and organize educational events. 

 

The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation is dedicated to national storytellers and strives to develop a sustainable and active ecosystem, through the launch of the festival, education programs with the Red Sea Lodge and industry programs. The Foundation captures the transformative energy of the moment, articulating this creative spark as a catalyst for the local film industry. 

 

The festival aims to preserve and promote film culture, in line with the wider cultural transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia. In efforts to support the film industry, content will be uploaded as the activity takes place – check our website for in-depth insights from the festival.  

Red Sea International Film Festival reveals details of its first edition

February 17, 2020, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Red Sea International Film Festival announced today the program details, competition lineup and industry initiatives of its first edition at a press conference held in Al-Balad Historic Jeddah, Bait Qabil.  

 

Set to take place March 12-21 at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Festival will shed light on local talent as well as bringing a diverse selection of films to Saudi Arabia. 

 

Festival Director Mahmoud Sabbagh and Artistic Director Hussain Currimbhoy announced a total of 107 features and shorts that will screen in the Festival.  

 

The selection contains 16 films in-competition, 7 out-of-competition titles, 15 Retrospectives + Classic works, three Generation titles, five Immersive/VR experiences, 11 pictures in New Saudi/New Cinema, 13 titles in the shorts competition, 23 Best of the Year films, 17 Tajreeb titles, which is a collection of experimental films and ‘Untitled Omnibus Feature’, an anthology comprised of 5 short films.  

 

The Competition selection this year opens a window to the world we live in with all of its current challenges. Prevalent themes are the advancement of women’s rights with an intense look at the scourge of domestic violence, as well as immigration, in particular, concerning marginalised individuals.  

 

The Head  of the Competition jury will be American three-time Academy Award winner Oliver Stone.  

 

Participating countries in this year’s competition include Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Columbia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nigeria, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain and United States. 

 

“It’s pleasing that we are bringing these great quality films discussing social issues of the day, said Sabbagh, Festival Director. “We have a strong desire to push diversity, particularly in women’s position in public spaces, and for a more open society. The films present a strong look at what makes society function and the relationship between the individual to patriarchy and hegemony.” 

 

Under the theme of “Transmissions”, a masterclass series will be led by Arab and International cinema icons, who will pass on their knowledge, inspiration and experience to young, aspiring filmmakers. Among those presenting the sessions are Spike Lee, William Friedkin, Abel Ferrara, Khairy Beshara and Yousry Nasrallah.  

 

The pulse of next-generation talent can be seen in a carefully curated selection of short films produced or directed by the most exciting up and coming Arab contemporary voices. With a focus on diversity and innovation, the shorts competition offers a place to discover something new and to connect with the creators.  

 

The announcement also highlighted the lineup of ‘New Saudi/New Cinema’, a programme developed to introduce new, vital filmmakers and artists. The dynamic selection showcases the new voices shaping the Saudi cinema scene, all primed for launch on to the international circuit. 

 

Another title from the New Saudi/New Cinema program is the ‘Untitled Omnibus Feature’, developed in partnership with Jeddah-based production house Cinepoetics Pictures. A platform for Saudi women in the film industry, the five female filmmakers helming the films are Hind Alfahhad, Jowaher Alamri, Noor Alameer, Sara Mesfer, and Fatima Al-Banawi. Award-winning Palestinian filmmaker Suha Arraf is screenwriting supervisor on the portmanteau film.  

 

Furthermore, Festival attendees will get a chance to encounter site-specific installations at Red Sea’s ‘Immersive Cinema’. Commissions by dynamic digital artists will embrace Jeddah Old Town in this wholly unique program shaped by new takes on narrative form and technology – including powerful sound installations, holographic experiences, and 2-channel experiments.  

 

Inaugurating the first edition of the Festival is the newly built Coral Theater with a 1200 seat capacity. Also at the newly built festival complex are four more theaters, one at 240 seater capacity, and the remaining three with 120 seats. A special masterclass on virtual reality and immersive art, ‘On Site, On Mind’ will  be led by Vishal Dar, Joan Ross, Nic Koller and Weston Rio Morgan. 

 

Furthermore, the Festival will be exhibiting “When Fellini Dreamt of Picasso” in collaboration with Cinémathèque Française, celebrating 100 years since the birth of the great Italian filmmaker. The exhibition sheds light on the story of how many of Fellini’s films were inspired by Picasso’s paintings, though the two great artists had never met.  

 

With scenes shot in Mecca, the Festival will host a very special screening of Spike Lee’s ‘Malcolm X’, on March 13th. ‘The Choice’, one of Youssef Chahine’s iconic films has been restored by the Red Sea Film Foundation. 

 

A series of industry panels titled “Perspectives” will bring together filmmakers from around the world to explore trends, ideas and issues shaping the industry today. These discussions will touch upon the animation industry, the new Saudi independent film scene, Arab international cinema, exploring European/Saudi co-productions and finally, the future for Arab film production.  

 

Festival Director Sabbagh added: “We worked hard to ensure that the films being presented showcase Saudi Arabia’s emerging film industry, and encourage a more open cultural exchange. This isn’t just about exporting our stories; we are bringing different perspectives, new conversations into Saudi Arabia too.” 

 

At this year’s Festival, there will be cash awards totalling $250K for films in competition. The Golden Yusr Trophy for Best Feature carries a $100K cash prize and the Silver Yusr Trophy for Best Director comes with a $50K award. In addition, a Silver Yusr Trophy will be awarded for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Cinematic Contribution. A prize of $50K will go to the winner of the Audience Award. An additional Golden Yusr Trophy will be presented to the Best Short Film, which also brings a $50,000 investment for a future project plus a five-month creative residency in Jeddah’s Old Town.