Red Sea Film Foundation brings four supported films to 78th Cannes
Tunisian film 'Promised Sky', supported by Red Sea Film Foundation, has been selected to open this year's Un Certain Regard section at the 78th Festival de Cannes.
The Red Sea Film Foundation has announced its official participation in the 78th Cannes Film Festival, with four films backed by the Red Sea Fund, Red Sea Souk and Red Sea Labs featured in this year's lineup. The foundation's presence underscores its ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting cinema from Arab, Asian and African regions on the global stage.
Among the highlights is Promised Sky, the latest feature by Tunisian filmmaker Erige Sehiri, which has been selected to open the Un Certain Regard section. Set in Tunisia and inspired by real events, the film explores the intertwining lives of three women—Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist; Naney, a young mother in search of hope; and Jolie, a student grappling with family pressure. Their delicate bond is put to the test when a young orphan enters their lives, revealing the strength and fragility of solidarity in a society fraught with uncertainty.
Egyptian director Morad Mostafa makes his Cannes debut with Aisha Can't Fly Away, which will also compete in Un Certain Regard. The film paints a raw portrait of life on the fringes of Cairo through the story of Aisha, a young Sudanese caretaker living in the impoverished Ain Shams district. Faced with growing danger, she turns to Zuka, a local gang leader, for protection, navigating a world shaped by desperation and survival.
Japanese filmmaker Momoko Seto's Dandelion's Odyssey offers a stark contrast in genre and tone. The film follows four plant-like friends—Dendelion, Baraban, Léonto and Taraxa—who survive Earth's destruction by nuclear catastrophe and embark on a cosmic journey in search of a new home. Blending science fiction and environmental themes, the film is a poetic reflection on survival, identity, and belonging.
Completing the lineup is Life After Siham, a deeply personal documentary by Egyptian director Namir Abdel-Messeeh. In the aftermath of his mother's passing, Abdel-Messeeh uses filmmaking as a way to preserve her memory and navigate his grief. The film documents his emotional journey, including his complex relationship with his father, ultimately transforming a personal loss into a profound meditation on love, memory, and the healing power of cinema.
In addition to the screenings, the Red Sea Film Foundation will host activities at the Saudi Pavilion at the Marché du Film, including a 'Meet the Red Sea Team' panel on May 16.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
9 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea Film Foundation launches fifth edition of 48Hr Film Challenge
Aspiring filmmakers in Saudi Arabia aged between 18 and 25 are invited to submit their applications by June 15, 2025. The Red Sea Film Foundation has announced the fifth edition of its 48Hr Film Challenge, in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, the Embassy of France in Saudi Arabia, Alliance Française and the Centre for French Culture. This annual initiative aims to nurture young talent and encourage innovation in Saudi Arabia's independent film scene. Aspiring filmmakers have until June 15, 2025, to submit their applications. Open to Saudi nationals and residents aged 18 to 25, the challenge allows teams of up to five members, each led by a Saudi-based director. Selected participants will first attend an intensive virtual workshop on July 11–12, 2025, featuring industry experts such as Iraqi director Ahmed Yassine Darradji, Saudi filmmaker Ahd Kamel and editor Cyril Aris, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The main challenge will unfold over the weekend of July 18–19 , 2025, when teams will be given a theme and a required element to incorporate into a short film, which must be completed—written, shot and edited—within 48 hours. In September 2025, the 15 shortlisted teams will engage in two professional development days with film professionals from Saudi Arabia and France. These sessions will offer tailored mentoring and feedback on the submitted films. The completed works will be screened for a jury of esteemed filmmakers and industry figures. Two winning teams will be selected based on creativity, execution and innovation. The winning directors will be awarded a filmmaking residency in France in 2026, arranged by the French Consulate, and their films will be featured at the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2025. The Red Sea Film Foundation encourages young Saudi filmmakers to seize this opportunity to develop their craft, collaborate with peers, and showcase their storytelling talent on an international stage.
Broadcast Pro
3 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea International Film Festival opens submissions for fifth edition
During the early bird period, entries can be submitted free of charge, with standard submission fees beginning on July 7. 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.
Sharjah 24
5 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Dibba Al Hisn Duo Theatre Festival concludes its 8th edition
'Profile 'concludes the shows The audience on the final night watched the Egyptian play 'Profile', performed by the "Layali Al-Masri" troupe. Nahed El-Tahan wrote the play, Enas Al-Masri provided dramaturgy and direction, and actors Mai Reda and Nashwa Mohammed performed. A fusion of mythology and literature The play presents an imaginative meeting between Medea—a mythological Greek figure who exacted brutal revenge on her unfaithful husband—and Amina, a character from Naguib Mahfouz's 'Cairo Trilogy'. In this portrayal, Amina is reimagined as a modern Egyptian woman who accepts her difficult life, dedicating herself to her family and running a TikTok cooking channel as a means of livelihood. Differing views on marriage The encounter between Medea and Amina, separated by centuries, highlights contrasting perspectives on marriage. Medea embodies anger and vengeance in response to betrayal, while Amina values preserving her home and caring for her daughters, overlooking her husband's marriage to another woman in his quest for a son. Enriched performance Staged in a realistic setting, the performance relied on dialogue to draw out the ideological divide between the two women. Video projections illustrated Medea's mythical journey from the sun to Earth and reflected Amina's engagement with social media. Music and sound effects helped transition between scenes and added emotional depth to specific moments. Critical session A post-performance critical session, moderated by Egyptian theatre artist Fady Nashat, saw participants commend the efforts of the team and the play's ambition in addressing the societal status of women. Diverse programme The eighth edition of the Dibba Al Hisn Duo Theatre Festival, which began on Friday, 23 May, featured five theatrical productions, including 'Profile'. Other performances included '17 Hours' by Sharjah National Theatre, 'Individual Salvation' by Syria's Tajamu Ashjar troupe, 'Life and Dream' by Morocco's Al-Shamat Theatre, and 'To Prepare a Boiled Egg ' by Kuwait Theatre. The festival also hosted the 20th Sharjah Arab Theatre Forum and held three workshops for school theatre facilitators in directing, scenography, and puppetry. A festival founded to foster theatrical exchange Established in 2016, the Dibba Al Hisn Duo Theatre Festival was launched in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, with the aim of expanding and diversifying theatrical activity in the emirate and building bridges of communication and knowledge exchange between Emirati and Arab theatre professionals.
