The Red Sea International Film Festival returns for its fourth edition in the historic old town of Jeddah, from the 5th to the 14th of December, bringing together prominent filmmakers, cinema stars, critics, and fans of film and content. This year’s edition features a wide selection of internationally acclaimed titles, reflecting a broad range of subjects and showcasing a diversity of cultures. The festival aims to enhance dialogue, foster cultural understanding, and highlight the art of both local and global storytelling.
SRMG and the Red Sea International Film Festival share a vision to empower creative talent, create a platform for storytelling, and support the regional film industry. The partnership includes comprehensive media coverage, diverse activations and events, as well as sponsorship of the Asharq Documentary Award – a dedicated award to empower documentary filmmakers.
Bassil Almouallimi, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer at SRMG, commented on the partnership: “Our partnership with the Red Sea International Film Festival underscores our unwavering commitment to supporting authentic storytelling from the Arab world. The festival provides a valuable platform for filmmakers and emerging talents in the region. As the leading integrated media group in the Middle East and North Africa, our strategy is to support emerging sectors like cinema and film, as they are integral to the growth of the media and content industry.” Almouallimi added:
“We have a strategic vision to empower regional content creators and organizations shaping the narrative of our region, showcasing stories that transcend borders and resonate with audiences globally.”
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea International Film Foundation, said: “Our aim is to continue to forge strong partnerships with leading companies like SRMG. Partnerships like this help us showcase our achievements to the world. Initiatives like the Asharq Documentary Award are fundamental to the development of our sector as they support emerging documentary filmmakers and provide a platform to inspire and encourage aspiring talents in the regional film industry.”
The award for best documentary presented by the Asharq Documentary platform for the second consecutive year is a key component of the partnership. The award also aligns with Asharq Documentary’s strategy and commitment to supporting and enabling the local and regional filmmaking landscape by championing local and regional talent.
Commenting on the award, Mohammed Alyousei, General Manager of Asharq Documentary and Asharq Discovery, said: “The documentary award presented by Asharq Documentary at the prestigious Red Sea International Film Festival reflects our deep commitment to supporting the film and cinema landscape and empowering emerging talents across the MENA region.” He added: “In just a few years, the Red Sea International Film Festival has established itself as a leading prestigious event, with an exciting array of content, activations, discussions, and dialogue that attract renowned filmmakers and stars, while celebrating a diverse program of cinematic content.” Alyousei emphasized: “In our second year, we shed light on the importance of documentary content, creating a leading platform for impactful and inspiring documentaries that engage and inform audiences worldwide.”
The Red Sea International Film Festival is a cornerstone for developing and supporting the film industry in Saudi Arabia. Through creating an ecosystem to empower regional talent, the festival offers film makers and content creators an opportunity to showcase their art and content internationally. Additionally, through the film festivals dedicated funding programs, the Red Sea International Film Festival supports aspiring filmmakers and stimulates the growth of film, cinema and content production in the region.
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