Nine Red Sea-Supported Films to Screen at Berlinale, Including One in Competition
The Red Sea Film Foundation presents nine supported films across six sections, including one in Competition, at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (13 – 23 February 2025), reinforcing its commitment to elevating Arab, African, and Asian cinema worldwide.
Yunan, supported by both the Red Sea Fund and the Red Sea Souk, is competing in the festival’s Competition, vying for the Golden and Silver Bear awards alongside 20 other films. Two titles supported by The Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Lodge – The Settlement and The Sun Sees Everything – will be showcased as part of the Perspectives section for new filmmakers and the Berlinale Co-Production Market respectively.
Six films supported by the Red Sea Fund have earned a spot at the festival: The Heart is a Muscle and Yalla Parkour in the Panorama section; The Tale of Daye’s Family and Têtes Brûlées in the Generation 14plus strand; Ancestral Visions of the Future in the Berlinale Speciale section; and Holiday in the Berlinale Co-Production Market. Alongside these films, The Red Sea Film Foundation will also participate in the Saudi Pavilion at the European Film Market (EFM) during the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, engaging in industry discussions and networking opportunities.
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea International Film Festival, said: “The exciting new wave of Arab and African cinema is bringing wider attention to stories that resonate with a hard-earned humanity that is anchored in this region yet globally relatable. Our Red Sea-supported films at this year’s festival showcase a breadth of talent that is as diverse, independent, and daring as the Berlinale itself. From across our Souk and Lodge programs and with our Fund, it’s an honor to provide support to projects that spotlight established and emerging talent in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Asia and Africa.”
Emad Eskander, Director of the Red Sea Fund, commented, “As we continue to champion Arab and African storytelling, we are also deepening our commitment to Asian cinema. The Red Sea Fund is empowering diverse voices and introducing fresh perspectives to the global film industry. Our presence at Berlinale reflects our ambition to support bold and original storytelling, ensuring that filmmakers from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia have the resources and visibility they deserve.”
The Red Sea Fund has provided funding for 280+ projects from the Arab, Asian and African film worlds since 2021. The fund operates across four cycles, encompassing projects in development, production, and post-production. The Red Sea Souk is the international film market running alongside the Red Sea International Film Festival, providing comprehensive industry programs and embodying a platform for connection and networking. The Lodge is the Foundation’s training program that takes projects from emerging Saudi, Arab, Asian and African filmmakers from idea to reality with creative and professional mentorship, development, and next-level industry opportunities.
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