The fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival featured a rich program celebrating local and international cinema. Highlights included a partnership announcement between the Red Sea Fund and the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), along with ‘In Conversation’ sessions with a number global cinema voices: actor and director Andrew Garfield, Egyptian director Mohamed Sami, American director Michael Mann, and beloved Indian actress Shraddha Kapoor. Exclusive screenings of the latest local and international films, attended by cast, crew, and industry professionals, alongside global partnerships, bookended an action-packed day.
In-Conversation Sessions
The ‘In Conversation’ series hosted industry voices, including actors, producers, and directors from the Arab world, Bollywood, and Hollywood. A session with Mohamed Sami saw him talk in-depth around the role of directing in the success of television series, the importance of actors, the director-actor relationship, and the challenges of being both writer and director.
Legendary American director Michael Mann shared his passion project, an interactive website for his film Ferrari, which provides detailed insights into every aspect of the film’s preparation and production. He emphasised the importance for both actors and directors to understand every element of a character and their story to enhance performance and narrative. He also presented a short film showcasing clips from his acclaimed works, including Heat, Police Story, and Miami Vice.
Red Carpets
The red carpet welcomed the casts and crews of Abdo & Sania and Snow White for their world premieres. Attendees included Engy El Gammal, Mariam Sharif, Soufa, Karim Fahmy, Amr Dizel, Nihal Kamal, and Mohamed Gomaa, who were greeted with enthusiastic applause and a celebratory atmosphere.
The Festival also witnessed the world premiere of the documentary Lost Worlds with Bethany Hughes: The Nabataeans, along with the premiere of A Taste of Revolution. Audiences enjoyed MENA premieres of a diverse selection of films, including K-Pops, Aisha, Freedom Way, and Bullet Train, as well as We Live in Time, screened as part of the “International Spectacular” programme. Andrew Garfield walked the red carpet with producer Andrew Ackland and special guests Shraddha Kapoor, Jeremy Renner, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The MENA premiere of Crocodile Tears also took place, while the team behind Holes celebrated their film’s GCC premiere.
Red Sea Fund Solidifies Its Presence in Asia
The Red Sea Fund, a dynamic force in Saudi, Arab, and African film financing, announced a strengthened presence in Asia. This move builds on the expansion initiated over a year ago, with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) supporting the fund’s expansion and opening doors for Asian projects to apply starting in 2025.
Emad Eskander, Director of Red Sea Fund, encouraged Asian filmmakers to submit their projects: “We want to help you transform your stories and projects from concept to reality. We want you to tell stories from your communities, stories that represent you and reflect your reality.”
He added, “We have funded 250 films so far, and the number will increase by the end of the year from the MENA region. We have over 160 international nominations across many festivals around the world, and the supported films have won 113 awards.”
A strategic partnership between the Red Sea Fund and the ATF was announced, aiming to encourage Asian filmmakers to submit projects to the fund, further promoting creativity in global cinema.
Red Sea Souk
The third day of the Red Sea Souk featured interactive activities and inspiring conversations. Award-winning actor Andrew Garfield discussed his lifelong love of cinema and the impact of various roles on shaping his persona. He also expressed his admiration for AlUla’s film studios and his eagerness to film in the Kingdom soon.
The “Souk Talks” program explored collaboration between France and local cinema, highlighting French support for Arab and African film talent and projects. A session titled “Breaking Barriers” showcased successful local stories that resonated internationally, offering expert advice on how international specialists can stoke the development of local stories.
Finally, Trio Media Productions also announced the launch of “Directions,” a comprehensive app designed to support all aspects of production and post-production in Saudi Arabia.
Red Sea Film Foundation Opens Call For Submissions To The 5th Edition Of 48-hour Film Challenge 2025
Red Sea Souk Opens Submissions For 2025 Project Market During The 5th Edition Of RSIFF
