01.

Red Sea: Competition

The competition focusses on original, daring fiction, documentary or animated productions by emerging and established voices, which fit the overarching theme of the festival. These outstanding features from around the world, compete for the Golden Yusr Award, as well as prizes for directing, screenwriting, acting and other categories. A jury of world-renowned filmmakers and film professionals will award cinematic work that pushes traditions, recognizing innovative filmmaking and great storytelling.

02.

RED SEA: SHORT FILM COMPETITION

The pulse of Arab creativity presented in a carefully curated selection of short films produced or directed by the most exciting contemporary voices, all vying for a prize juried by their peers in this region-leading competition. Open to student directors, first-time filmmakers, and artists of any discipline from the Arab world, the works offer fresh takes and new ideas that tell compelling diverse and innovative stories in the short film form. It's where to discover something new and to connect with next-generation creators.

03.

RED SEA: INTERNATIONAL SPECTACULAR

This is the home for international filmmaking icons and established voices making story-driven and entertaining films with a focus on craft and sensation. The curated collection of independent and studio productions is packed with Middle East premieres and award-winning films. Audiences will encounter trailblazers, adventurers, heroines – the characters who have lived a life less ordinary, inspiring us to do the same.

04.

RED SEA: ARAB SPECTACULAR

This is the home for Arab filmmaking icons and established voices making story-driven and entertaining films with a focus on characters, craft that give focus to the Arab experience. The curated collection of studio and independent productions is a showcase of Middle East premieres and award-winners. This is a celebration of the films and personalities at the heart of Arab cinema.  Audiences will encounter trailblazers, adventurers, heroines – the characters who have lived a life less ordinary, inspiring us to do the same.

05.

RED SEA: FESTIVAL FAVOURITES

An expansive roundup of the year’s international festival hits – audience winners and critics' favorites, screening alongside a selection of experiential and escapist cinema chosen by the Red Sea International Film Festival team. Explore this panorama of films, fresh from the international circuit and racing for awards. Discover and find your next favorite – before they hit the cinemas.

06.

NEW SAUDI/NEW CINEMA (Feature)

Introducing world premieres of Saudi Feature and Documentary filmmakers and artists at the apex of an energetic new wave of cinema. The showcase envisions a robust future for the national film industry. Diverse and dynamic, engaging audience and filmmakers, the program is an exciting look at the voices shaping the local scene.

07.

New Saudi/New Cinema (Shorts)

A punk program celebrating dynamic, extroverted, and impressionistic works that capture the zeitgeist and instigate change – these films showcase the dynamism, creativity and originality of emerging Saudi filmmakers. New Saudi/New Cinema (Shorts) is the hot-line to exciting audio-visual creators with imagination. It doesn’t matter where the work has screened, where it lived before or how it came to find us – what matters is that rare inimitable vibe.

08.

RED SEA: TREASURES

Framing the art of cinema in an exciting new context that will enhance knowledge, this proud, spirited focus on movie classics, seminal classics and retrospectives on iconic personalities includes acclaimed titles from the Arab canon and unmissable world gems. See the masterpieces that have inspired generations of directors – many screened on the big-screen for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

09.

RED SEA: NEXT GENERATION

Enchanting stories for younger audiences with a big appetite for film with a selection of films that will delight our future generation of filmmakers. Next Generation also features a program of activities and events taking the fun beyond the cinema to engage young audiences in the wonderful world of cinema.

10.

RED SEA: IMMERSIVE (VR)

Red Sea: Immersive Presented in collaboration with Art Jameel, and hosted at Jeddah’s new creative complex, Hayy Jameel.

Red Sea Immersive features a selection from award-winning international artists and directors that will appeal to all types of audiences - from immersive documentaries, animations and interactive narratives to games, art and virtual world explorations. Using a VR Headset step into the shoes of a character and journey through a story world.

Booking Tickets

Tickets are available to the General Public and Industry Guests and must be booked online here

Guests can book one-hour slots, which will allow them to view any of the projects in the Red Sea: Immersive Selection.
** It is highly advised to arrive at the Red Sea: Immersive reception 15 minutes before your reservation time.

How to Find Us/ Venue

Red Immersive runs from 7-15 December at Hayy Jameel, Saudi Arabia’s new dedicated home for the arts.

Opening times:
11.00 to 23.15 - Saturday to Thursday
14.00 to 00.30 - Friday

Address: (Hayy Jameel)
Arwa bint Abdulmutalib Street
Al Muhammadiyah District
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hYqKSd3SgzRahgFq9

11.

RED SEA: EPISODIC

Saudi Arabian premiers of the best new episodic offerings, made for broadcast on television, streaming or web platforms. These will be shows pushing the boundaries of narrative, with great storylines, characters and technical innovation Episodic brings together and showcases the top talents working in the Golden Age of the series industry.