Red Sea Film Foundation brings four supported films to 78th 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.
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