The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has officially announced the theme for its highly anticipated third edition`— “Your Stories, Your Festival.” Set to run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 in Jeddah, this cinephile extravaganza promises an exciting lineup, featuring an impressive selection of 36 feature-length and short films originating from the Kingdom, as well as a collection of documentaries and titles produced by the Red Sea Film Foundation. These thoughtfully-curated sections will serve as a platform to showcase the creative works of both established and emerging filmmakers from the region, encompassing a wide range of captivating documentaries and films produced by the non-profit cultural organization.
According to the festival’s organizers their goal this year is to provide “a unique and powerful platform for celebrating film, connecting cultures and expanding horizons while welcoming stories from all walks of life.”
In the released statement, they added: “It is a comprehensive cinematic platform that promotes diversity in all facets of filmmaking, elevating it beyond just a film screening event. These ideas of diversity, connection, and cultural exchange are manifested in this year’s theme.
Speaking about the selected films, Mohammed Al-Turki, CEO of Red Sea Film Foundation, and Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of Red Sea International Film Festival, said: “Our theme this year of ‘Your Stories, Your Festival’ is borne out by the incredible selection of films from the region– which spans both masters as well as debut filmmakers who are testament to the wealth of talent on offer from this part of the world, which is so important to showcase in all its diversity. We feel it is particularly timely to use the medium of film to look at what connects us, and to give a platform to the voices and experiences of people in our region and beyond to foster insight, understanding and compassion. We look forward to once again welcoming the global film community in Jeddah for our third edition.”
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The Red Sea: Competition section will screen 17 films from Asia, Africa, and the Arab world, with a jury led by acclaimed filmmaker Baz Lurhmann. Entries include Tawfik Alzaidi’s Norah, the first production to be shot entirely in the AlUla; Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane’s debut feature Backstage,which delves into the behind-the-scenes story of a touring dance troupe; Farah Nabulsi’s The Teacher, which is filmed in the West Bank and stars Imogen Poots; Karim Bensalah’s Six Feet Over; Amjad Al Rasheed’s Cannes Critics’ Week film Inshallah A Boy; Pakistan’s Oscar entry In Flames by Zarra Kahn; and Iranian filmmaker Parviz Shahbazi’s Roxana.
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The Arab Spectacular section will showcase 11 works from a wide range of genres. Tunisia’s Oscar submission Four Daughters by Kaouther Ben Hania; Tamer Ruggli’s debut film Back to Alexandria starring Nadine Labaki and Fanny Ardant which tells the story of a mother and daughter overcoming estrangement; Yasir Alyasiri’s intergalactic debut HWJN, featuring Baraa Alem and Nour Alkhadra; Meshal Al Jaser’s NAGA, about a teenage girl on a race against time to meet her curfew, pursued by a rabid camel; and The Godus Brothers’ Fever Dream, which tells the story of a retired football star and his daughter seeking fame on social media, are all apart of the dynamic lineup.
