Four Foundation-Supported Films Selected by Cannes Film Festival
Celebrations of Generation 2030 Partnership to Take Place Throughout the Festival
The Red Sea Film Foundation (Red Sea FF) has a raft of activity at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, including four Foundation-supported films selected to screen across an array of sections: Norah, To a Land Unknown, Animale and The Brink of Dreams. The Red Sea FF will be participating in panel discussions hosted by the Saudi Pavilion, as well as hosting its annual Women in Cinema Gala, in partnership with Vanity Fair Europe.
The four titles supported by the Red Sea FF and selected by Cannes Film Festival include Tawfik Alzaidi’s Norah, which has now made history as the first Saudi film to be chosen as part of the festival’s Official Selection, screening in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section, To a Land Unknown, a narrative feature directed by Mahdi Fleifel screening in Director’s Fortnight, Animale, a film by Emma Benestan that will play in Cannes Critics Week’s Special Screenings, and The Brink of Dreams, a drama by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir screening in Cannes Critics Week. Both To a Land Unknown and Animale were supported by the Foundation’s Red Sea Souk, a funding program aimed at discovering and supporting emerging talent.
During the festival, the Red Sea FF will join the Saudi Pavilion with panels highlighting “Filmmakers experience in emerging markets” on 16th May, as well as the “Meet the Foundation” panel.
In addition, the Red Sea IFF and Vanity Fair Europe are reuniting to host the “Women in Cinema” Gala, championing the achievements of rising female talent on both sides of the camera who are reshaping the film industry in Saudi Arabia, Africa, Asia and the Arab world. The event held at the remarkable Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes on 18th May will showcase six women who are fiercely redefining what is possible for future generations of female storytellers, with the spotlight honourees to be announced over the coming week. Furthermore, Red Sea IFF is partnering with Variety, to host a panel at the Cannes Marché du Film’s Plage des Palmes, featuring the “Women in Cinema” honourees to discuss their influential contributions to film.
Jomana R. Alrashid; Chairwoman of the Red Sea Foundation said: “Last year, Red Sea FF had a remarkable participation at Cannes with 7 Foundation-supported films that highlighted the power of untold stories. Our return to the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival marks our commitment to creating impactful stories and meaningful cultural contributions to the global film industry. In the three years since establishing Red Sea FF, we made it our mission to empower regional and global storytellers and talent and have supported over 250 projects. In 2023, 21 of our Foundation-supported films participated in global festivals, including TIFF, Venice Film Festival, and Berlin Film Festival, and the selection of 4 Foundation-supported films at this year’s prestigious Cannes Film Festival proves how important the Foundation’s role is in providing an environment of opportunity and creativity.”
Mohammed Al Turki; CEO of the Red Sea IFF added: “This year in Cannes is a momentous one for the Foundation, and we’re extremely proud to have supported and played a part in Norah, the first ever Saudi film selected by the festival, as well as all of the other Foundation-supported films screening this year. Our participation in the Cannes Film Festival reflects the Red Sea Film Foundation’s diligent efforts to support filmmakers. It also serves as a testament to the foundation’s active role in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening relationships through film.”
The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will run in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th-14th.
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