Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to screen at Berlinale 2025
The Red Sea Film Foundation is set to present nine supported films across six categories at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, taking place from February 13 to 23, 2025. This participation underscores the foundation's dedication to promoting Arab, African and Asian cinema on a global scale.
Among the featured films, Yunan , backed by both the Red Sea Fund and the Red Sea Souk, will compete in the festival's Competition section for the Golden and Silver Bear awards, alongside 20 other films. Additionally, The Settlement and The Sun Sees Everything , both supported by the Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Lodge, will be showcased in the Perspectives section for emerging filmmakers and the Berlinale Co-Production Market, respectively.
Six other films funded by the Red Sea Fund have also secured places at the festival. The Heart is a Muscle and Yalla Parkour will be screened in the Panorama section, while The Tale of Daye's Family and Têtes Brûlées will be featured in the Generation 14plus strand. Ancestral Visions of the Future will be part of the Berlinale Speciale section, and Holiday will be presented in the Berlinale Co-Production Market.
Beyond film screenings, the Red Sea Film Foundation will also take part in the Saudi Pavilion at the European Film Market (EFM), engaging in industry discussions and networking opportunities to further support the region's growing film industry.
Speaking about the participation, Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea International Film Festival, said: 'The exciting new wave of Arab and African cinema is bringing wider attention to stories that resonate with a hard-earned humanity that is anchored in this region yet globally relatable. Our Red Sea-supported films at this year's festival showcase a breadth of talent that is as diverse, independent, and daring as the Berlinale itself. From across our Souk and Lodge programs and with our Fund, it's an honour to provide support to projects that spotlight established and emerging talent in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Asia and Africa.'
Emad Eskander, Director of the Red Sea Fund, commented: 'As we continue to champion Arab and African storytelling, we are also deepening our commitment to Asian cinema. The Red Sea Fund is empowering diverse voices and introducing fresh perspectives to the global film industry. Our presence at Berlinale reflects our ambition to support bold and original storytelling, ensuring that filmmakers from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia have the resources and visibility they deserve.'
The Red Sea Fund has provided funding for 280+ projects from the Arab, Asian and African film worlds since 2021. The fund operates across four cycles, encompassing projects in development, production and post-production. The Red Sea Souk is the international film market running alongside the Red Sea International Film Festival, providing comprehensive industry programmes and embodying a platform for connection and networking. The Lodge is the Foundation's training programme that takes projects from emerging Saudi, Arab, Asian and African filmmakers from idea to reality with creative and professional mentorship, development, and next-level industry opportunities.
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