Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int'l Programmes
Halligan succeeds critic Kaleem Aftab, who stepped down in March after serving as the Red Sea Festival's Director of International Programming for four years.
The Red Sea Film Foundation has appointed Fionnuala Halligan, outgoing Executive Editor and Chief Critic of Screen International, as its new Director of International Programmes. In her new role, Halligan will work alongside Antoine Khalife, Director of Arab Programmes and Film Classics, to curate and shape the growing international slate of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Halligan has collaborated with the festival over the past three editions of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, a joint initiative with Screen highlighting emerging regional talent. Her extensive background includes more than a decade in Hong Kong as a film critic for the South China Morning Post, and five years as a consultant and programmer for the Macao International Film Festival. She is a recognised voice in global film criticism, with memberships in BAFTA, the London Film Critics' Circle, and the European Film Academy.
Speaking about the new role, Fionnuala Halligan, Director of International Programmes at the Red Sea Film Festival, said: 'It's a privilege to be joining the Red Sea Film Foundation in this new role. As I complete my tenure at Screen, I look forward to fully taking on the role after the Cannes Film Festival and working closely with the team to further shape and expand the festival's international programming.'
Shivani Pandya-Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, added: 'Finn has been a collaborator and supporter of ours from the beginning, and she has both impeccable taste and a deep appreciation for cinema from across the world – particularly in Asia, a region we've increasingly championed as an organisation as our remit broadens. We are so thrilled to have her joining us to head up our international offering, which has been a cornerstone of our festival and continues to gain prestige and stature on the global circuit with each edition.'
Now in its fifth edition, the Red Sea International Film Festival has screened over 520 films from 85 countries, including more than 130 Saudi titles. The next edition will take place from December 4 to 13, 2025, in Jeddah's historic Al Balad district.
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