Red Sea Film Festival Opens in Jeddah — Global Stars, Local Stories and a Boost for Saudi Cinema

Red Sea International Film Festival Kicks Off in Historic Jeddah

The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival opened in Jeddah on Dec. 4, bringing more than 100 films from over 70 countries to the kingdom’s Red Sea coast. Running through Dec. 13, the festival showcases international cinema while spotlighting filmmakers from the Arab world, Africa and Asia.

Competition, Jury and Highlights

The festival’s flagship strand, Red Sea: Competition, features 16 narrative features, animations and documentaries competing for the prestigious Yusr Awards, to be announced at the closing ceremony. The competition jury is chaired by filmmaker Sean Baker, known for acclaimed indie titles that spotlight everyday life and marginalized communities. Baker praised the festival’s rapid growth and expanding influence on global cinema.

"This festival is really exciting because of how big it’s become in just five years," Baker said. "It’s rare to see a festival grow so quickly in importance and impact."

Opening Night: "Giant" and a Star-Studded Carpet

The festival opened with Giant, a biographical film about British-Yemeni boxing star Prince Naseem "Naz" Hamed. Egyptian-British actor Amir El-Masry portrays Hamed, with Pierce Brosnan as trainer Brendan Ingle. Director Rowan Athale described the film as a long-held passion project rooted in personal connections to the boxer's community.

El-Masry called the role among his most demanding, noting four-and-a-half weeks of intensive training and an eight-kilogram weight loss during preparation. Athale said it was "a privilege" to tell the story of a hometown hero and reflected on the emotional impact of the premiere.

International Reach, Local Setting

Festival programming takes place across Jeddah’s Al-Balad district, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Organizers intentionally pair the city’s historic architecture with contemporary cinema to highlight Saudi cultural heritage alongside global film conversation.

Opening night drew a diverse slate of international talent to the red carpet, including well-known figures from Hollywood and beyond. Veteran actor Giancarlo Esposito attended and emphasized the unifying power of cinema: "This celebration at the Red Sea Film Festival is really about celebrating film."

Support, Goals and Criticism

The Red Sea International Film Festival was established by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and is supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation. Funding includes contributions from the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund and private sponsors. Organizers say the festival aims to promote regional filmmakers, develop local industry capacity and build international creative partnerships.

The festival aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 objectives to diversify the economy and strengthen cultural infrastructure. At the same time, international rights groups have criticized some cultural initiatives in the kingdom, arguing that high-profile events can draw attention away from ongoing human rights concerns, including capital punishment rates and limits on freedom of expression.

What to Watch

The coming days will reveal the Yusr Award winners and showcase a range of films from emerging and established voices. The Red Sea festival continues to position Jeddah as a growing regional hub for film production, festivals and industry networking.