Red Sea International Film Festival opens submissions for fifth edition
Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) has opened submissions for the fifth edition. The festival is set to take place from 4–13 December 2025 in the vibrant historic district of Al Balad, Jeddah.
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RedSeaIFF) has opened submissions for its fifth edition, which is set to take place from December 4 to 13, 2025, in the historic district of Al Balad, Jeddah. The festival invites filmmakers, producers and distributors from Saudi Arabia, the broader Arab world, Africa and Asia to submit their projects for consideration, with the final deadline set for August 17, 2025. An early bird submission window is available until July 7, 2025, offering participants the opportunity to apply at no cost.
Submissions are now being accepted across several key sections of the festival, including the Red Sea: Competition and Red Sea: Shorts Competition, as well as the New Saudi/New Cinema section, which is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Saudi filmmaking talent.
Celebrating its fifth year, the Red Sea IFF continues to expand its influence and cultural significance, having already screened over 520 films from 85 countries and hosted more than 160 global premieres. With more than 130 Saudi films featured since its launch, the festival remains committed to showcasing homegrown narratives while promoting international cinematic dialogue.
The selected films will be in contention for the Yusr Awards, including the coveted Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film, which carries a grand prize of $100,000. Other honours include awards for Best Director, the Jury Prize, and the Golden Yusr for Best Short Film.
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: 'This year, we take great pride in marking the fifth anniversary of the Red Sea International Film Festival – a journey through which the Festival has firmly established itself as a distinctive force within the cinematic landscape, both locally and internationally. Having showcased over 520 films from 85 countries, the Festival stands today as a vital platform for cultural exchange and compelling storytelling. As we open submissions for our fifth edition, we warmly invite filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa, and Asia to present their work and contribute to this growing cinematic dialogue.'
During the early bird submission period, projects can be submitted at no cost, with the regular price for submissions starting on July 7, with 100SAR (VAT inclusive) for shorts and 200SAR (VAT inclusive) for Features.
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