- Four films supported by the Foundation to premiere at the festival
- Seven Women to Be Honoured at RSFF’s Women in Cinema Gala in Cannes, Including Amina Khalil, Elham Ali, and Sarah Taibah
- RSFF to Present “Meet the Foundation” Session Highlighting its all round support to Asian, African and Arab Filmmakers
The Red Sea Film Foundation (RSFF) is participating in the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival with four supported films making their world premieres across the Festival’s official and parallel sections—reaffirming the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting emerging cinematic voices from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia. As part of its presence, RSFF will also host its annual Women in Cinema Gala, honouring outstanding women who have shaped the global film landscape, including Egyptian star Amina Khalil and Saudi talents Elham Ali and Sarah Taibah. In addition, the Foundation will present a “Meet the Foundation” session to introduce its initiatives and support programs for filmmakers around the world.
The Red Sea Film Foundation is proud to support four compelling films that will premiere at Cannes 2025, highlighting the Foundation’s dedication to nurturing emerging voices and bringing diverse narratives to a global audience. These films include AISHA CAN’T FLY AWAY directed by Morad Mostafa (Egypt), premiering in Un Certain Regard and supported by the Red Sea Labs and the Red Sea Souk; PROMISED SKY directed by Erige Sehiri, also premiering in Un Certain Regard and supported by the Red Sea Fund; DANDELION’S ODYSSEY directed by Momoko Seto, premiering in the ‘Director’s Fortnight’ category and supported by the Red Sea Souk; and LIFE AFTER SIHAM, directed by Namir Abdel Meseeh and supported by the Red Sea Fund, and which will be premiering in ACID, a Cannes Film Festival parallel section.
The Women in Cinema Gala, part of the Foundation’s flagship initiative, returns to Cannes to spotlight women who have made meaningful contributions to the global film industry. This year’s honourees include three standout Arab talents: Amina Khalil (Egypt), one of the Arab world’s most acclaimed actresses, known for her bold artistic choices and commitment to authentic storytelling; Elham Ali (Saudi Arabia), a prominent figure in Saudi and Gulf drama, celebrated for her versatility and advocacy on social issues; and Sarah Taibah (Saudi Arabia), a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker from Jeddah, widely recognized as the writer and lead of the critically acclaimed dark comedy series Jameel Jiddan.
They will be joined by four leading voices from the global film community: Engfa Waraha (Thailand), a rising actress known for her dynamic screen presence and commercial success; Jacqueline Fernandez (Sri Lanka), a globally recognised performer in Indian cinema with a multicultural background and wide-reaching influence; Gaya Jiji (Syria), a Syrian filmmaker whose Cannes-selected work explores themes of identity and womanhood; and Rungano Nyoni (Zambia/Wales), a BAFTA-winning director renowned for her bold, thought-provoking films showcased at major international festivals.
During the festival, the Foundation will join the Saudi Pavilion with a “Meet the Foundation” panel on 16th May, and will also host an industry reception and a producers’ networking session.
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, commented: “At Cannes this year, we reaffirm our belief in the power of storytelling to bridge cultures and connect communities. Through supporting compelling films, celebrating women who have shaped the industry, and engaging with global filmmakers, we continue our mission to empower talent and expand the space for diverse cinematic voices to thrive.”
Now in its fifth edition, the Red Sea International Film Festival has showcased over 520 films from 85 countries and spotlighted more than 130 Saudi titles — affirming its role in championing local voices and global exchange. The upcoming edition will run from 4–13 December 2025 in the historic district of Al Balad, Jeddah.
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