48 Films Selected Across New Saudi, New Cinema, Arab Shorts and International Shorts Programmes
The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) has selected an impressive programme of short films as part of its Saudi, Arab and International Shorts strands. The selected films reflect this year’s theme of home – exploring identity, memory and belonging, and will be screened at the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival which will run in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th – 14th 2024.
The Arab Shorts lineup reflects the rich tapestry of creativity in the region, and this year 15 shorts have been selected, featuring stories that traverse the cultural, social, and personal landscapes and talent from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Jordan, and Lebanon. The selected projects will be judged as part of the Yusr Awards, with the winners presented at the Festival’s awards ceremony.
The International Shorts strand highlights films from African and Asian filmmakers operating across the globe, with 12 films selected from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, and Mauritius. The films in Competition deal with a myriad of themes – touching on climate change, human nature, displacement and family, and will complement the soon to be announced international feature film line up.
For 2024, 21 films have been selected for the Festival’s ‘New Saudi, New Cinema’ programme. The strand spotlights Saudi Arabia’s emerging cinematic talent, offering films that explore cultural identity, personal triumphs and modern societal trends, and includes the winners of the 48Hr Film Challenge 2024.
Kaleem Aftab, Director of International Programming, says: “This year’s selection of International Shorts depict unique global narratives from a talented and diverse group of directors, and it was difficult to narrow down all of the incredible submissions we received. Across the festival, we’re spotlighting the theme of home expressed through film, and our Shorts selection showcase the different communities and places that represent belonging for people around the world.”
Antione Khalife, Director of the Arab and Classics programme, added, “One of our key aims at the Festival is to provide a platform for both upcoming and established filmmakers to screen their work for both key industry figures and new audiences in the region. Our New Saudi, New Cinema and Arab Shorts programmes feature incredible talent from Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab region, reflecting the ongoing growth of the industry and the diversity of ideas within it. Offering a glimpse into the stories and experiences from the region, we’re looking forward to bringing these films to our Festival’s audiences in December.”
The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will run in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th – 14th 2024.
Red Sea: Shorts Competition – Arab Selection:
FRAGMENTS OF LIFE
Anis Ben Dali
In a remote mountain village of children, Slim, a fatherless boy with asthma, struggles with isolation and a rivalry with his reluctant caretaker, Marwan. When Marwan discovers Slim’s puppet father figure and steals it, Slim’s anger ignites a quest for revenge.
SAINT ROSE
Zayn Alexandre
An unhappy housewife seeks refuge in unhealthy coping mechanisms while her husband takes charge of preparations for their daughter’s upcoming engagement ceremony.
THE SIGNAL
Nasser Alqattan
A young man stops at a traffic light and becomes a social media sensation. When a group of men approaches him for answers, he remains silent, prompting them to call the police to uncover his story.
SHAMS
Adam Rayan
A young boy grapples with the death of his father as his mother sells his beloved camel for money, forcing him to confront a difficult choice that he can ultimately control.
CHIKHA
Ayoub Layoussifi and Zahoua Raji
A Seventeen-year-old Fatine lives in Azemmour, Morocco, with her mother, Nadia, a chikha (singer of Aïta). After passing her baccalaureate exams, Fatine faces a dilemma: follow her family’s artistic tradition or pursue a safer life with someone who disdains her heritage.
AFRICAN FAMILY DINNER
Ibrahim Mursal
Mona, a Norwegian blonde, meets her Ghanaian friend’s family for the first time at a dinner. What begins as a simple gathering quickly escalates into one of the most awkward introductions ever.
IN THREE LAYERS OF DARKNESS
Houcem Slouli
The film follows Ghassen, a young Tunisian man navigating the challenges of obtaining a visa. The short explores themes of immigration and perseverance against bureaucratic injustice for the fundamental right to move freely.
CHILDREN OF BARZAGH
Ahmed Khattab
In war-torn Gaza, Noor rescues a dog, leading her on a journey where the boundaries between life and death blur.
MERA, MERA, MERA
Khaled Zidan
In a neighborhood facing demolition in Jeddah, Saeed loses his ability to speak, uttering only the word “Mera,” which leads him to uncover a mysterious truth.
MALIKA
Maram Taibah
A rebellious Saudi girl embarks on a magical quest to retrieve her dying grandmother’s lost crown from beasts, discovering the true meaning of being a queen.
LAND OF GOD
Imad Benomar
Hassan, a civil servant, Malika, a gendarme, and an intern must deliver coffins to two families. When Hassan realizes he has mixed up the bodies, he panics and hides the mistake, causing their mission to take an unexpected turn.
NEMSHI?
Assaf Al Rousan
After his father’s death, dedicated family man Emad struggles with overwhelming emotions that jeopardize his sense of purpose and connection to life.
FIZR
Rani Nasr
After clashing with the mayor, who shot his cat, Issam flees to the valley. In a cabin, he wrestles with anger as his friend Raafat urges silence, forcing a choice between loyalty and survival.
ZAHRA
Hadi Shatat
The film follows a clothing factory worker in her final days of pregnancy whose need for money to afford a C-section leads her to uncover the tragic realities of her community.
ONE LAST TIME
Karim Rahbani
Toufic, a loner in his 80s, faces a late-in-life crisis when a neighbor mistakenly visits him, reigniting his passion for life.
Red Sea: Shorts Competition – International Selection:
ACROSS THE WATER
Viv Li (France, China)
A quirky girl in a remote Chinese mining town feels a new world open up when she listens to a passing truck-driver’s Walkman.
ALAZAR
Beza Hailu Lemma (Ethiopia, Canada, France)
As the land turns to dust during an endless drought, Tessema must also deal with the mysterious disappearance of his dead father’s body.
HATCH
Alireza Kazemipour and Panta Mosleh (Canada, Iran)
Afghan refugees hiding in a water truck are discovered by border guards in a terrifying story ripped straight from the headlines.
LAI LEI
Binglin Cui (China)
Lives go full circle from childhood to old age in this concise contemplation of the passage of time.
LUNGE
Negar Hassanzadeh (Iran)
A champion Iranian fencer faces a make-or-break choice when her team asks her to feign injury and withdraw from her next match.
NAILS
Triparna Banerjee (India)
Dolly was studying to be a doctor. She certainly has a way with a knife.
NEVER HAVE I EVER
Joyce A. Nashawati (France)
A woman wakes up bound and gagged in a car by a mysterious man. Can she escape?
PIE DAN LO
Kim Yip Tong (Mauritius, Reunion)
A beautiful, animated tribute to the people who fought to defend idyllic Mauritius from a disastrous oil spill.
RADIKALS
Arvin Belarmino (Philippines, France, Bangladesh, USA)
Make the wrong move at Bakte, a Filipino dance inspired by chickens, and you could end up dead.
SANKI YOXSAN
Azer Guliev (France, Azerbaijan)
On the day Samir and Leyla have agreed to run away from their disapproving families, Samir disappears.
UREFU WE KAMBA
Mageto Ndege (Kenya)
Burning down their family home releases the buried hostilities between three sisters.
WASHHH
Mickey Lai (Malaysia, Ireland)
At a national service camp, discipline of young girls includes telling them their bodies are dirty – and punishing them for it.
New Saudi, New Cinema Selection:
A MOSQUITO
Raneem Almohandes and Dana Almohandes
An animated short set in Al Ula, 1969, following Zozo, a mosquito with dreams of becoming a famous singer like the Egyptian legend Umm Kulthum. The film explores themes of ambition, identity, and the challenges of pursuing one’s dreams.
THE POST
Zakaria Albashir
Six people witness the sudden death of a post office employee. This short fiction film delves into themes of community, death, and the reflections of those left behind, all set against the backdrop of a small post office.
THE DREAMER DREAMS
Abdulmohsen Albinali
Set in pre-Islamic Arabia, this animated short follows a young priestess on her mystical journey of self-discovery. Through visions and dreams, she uncovers ancient truths, reflecting the rich folklore and spiritual heritage of the Arabian Peninsula.
UNDERGROUND
Abdulrahman Sandokji
This short documentary presents real-life stories of Saudi musical talents, capturing their early struggles, challenges in the music industry, and their future aspirations as they seek recognition in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
PAVLOV’S BELLS
Khalid Fahad
The story of Nala, a girl who confronts the decisions of a powerful figure in the workplace, realizing the power lies not in the person but in the authority of the position itself.
KHAMSEN
Abdullah Alrowis
Nawaf breaks into a wealthy family’s house, but things take a turn when he encounters a large man with a rifle. They challenge each other to a life-or-death game of Carrom.
TWO SISTERS
Waleed Alqahtani
After a disastrous TV interview, actress Nour faces a PR crisis. At her birthday party, she decides to take control of her life amidst sneering guests and a ridiculous dance troupe.
TIED
Yam Fida
Abdulmalik conceals his brother’s death from their blind father, but a broken rosary and his father’s words foreshadow an unavoidable truth.
WHERE’S THE IMAM?
Abrar Qari
Saleh’s irresponsibility with money leads him to an obsession with stealing fire extinguishers, hoping it will help him pay his overdue rent.
WHEN THE SHELVES HYMN
Hanaa Saleh Alfassi
Mariam moves to AlUla to sell her family’s antique shop, only to uncover her missing husband’s dark secrets, leading her and her son toward newfound independence.
ASEER MEMORY
Saad Tahaitah
A documentary on Mohammed Al-Matali’s lifelong dedication to preserving Aseer’s rich history through books, videos, and forgotten local street names.
DIAA SHAMSI
Lama Jarkas
Diaa’s strained relationship with her narcissistic mother intensifies when she seeks independence by applying for a job against her mother’s wishes.
SUGAR
Khalid Bin Waleed
Abdulmalik wears his deceased brother’s ring to avoid telling their blind father the truth, but a broken rosary becomes an ominous sign.
THE EXTRAORDINARY MISADVENTURES OF THE AMAZING BOY SUPER-BLURRY
Hassan El Hejaili
Zezo discovers strange powers, like touching boiling tea unscathed, but no one seems to notice as his chaotic day unfolds in a whimsical black-and-white comedy.
SAEED’S DAY
Mohammed Zawari
Saeed’s attempts to recover from a late start to his day are thwarted by a series of comical and chaotic mishaps.
GUM
Belal Albader
Kindergarten boy Saad experiences love for the first time when new student Dania arrives, leading him to give her his most prized possession: his chewing gum.
THE EDGE (ORA)
Ahmed Alqithmi
A miserably married couple, Sultan and Haneen, confront their broken relationship when Haneen shares a shocking truth in response to Sultan’s probing questions.
THE CERTAINTY
Ahmad Kurdi
Devout Saad is torn between faith and compassion when he learns his beloved nanny died as a Christian, and his father refuses to pay for her funeral.
DOES IT HURT TOO BAD TO LOOK AT ME?
Rana Matar
A young woman living out of the city goes on two crucial road trips, one with her father, and the other with her fiancé to his parents house in the city. Upon arriving, she comes to question everything she thought she knew about him, and herself. “Does It Hurt Too Bad to Look at Me?” invites audiences to reflect on the fragility of relationships, the influence of parents on our choices, and self exploration.
Winners of the fourth edition of the 48 hours challenge:
ALL IN ONE NIGHT (AION)
Thoraya Akram
Malik, an introverted young man, finds his life changed when an imaginary friend in a pair of Converse shoes pushes him out of his comfort zone. The shoes lead him on a journey through the nightlife, forcing him to face his fears and expand his world.
AFEN
Nawaf Alkinani and Othman Al Khowiter
A TikTok group gains viral fame by filming their friend eating rotten food. As their friend’s health deteriorates, they ignore his condition until one of them steps in to save him from further harm.
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