Red Sea International Film Festival announces dates for fifth edition
Presided over by Spike Lee, the festival's two juries deliberated across 14 competition categories, with 16 feature films vying for top honours, alongside short films.
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has officially set the dates for its fifth edition, scheduled to take place from December 4-13, 2025, in Al-Balad, the historic heart of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, RSIFF aims to build on its legacy of promoting cinematic excellence, fostering creativity and supporting filmmakers from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The announcement follows the success of RSIFF 2024, which saw record-breaking attendance and a star-studded lineup of global industry leaders.
The fourth edition, held from December 5-14, 2024, transformed Jeddah's Al-Balad district into a global hub for film, attracting over 40,000 attendees and nearly 7,000 accredited guests. Featuring 122 films from 85 countries—including 61 premieres—the festival further cemented its position as a major cultural and industry event.
RSIFF 2024's industry-focused Red Sea Souk also had a strong presence, hosting 142 exhibiting companies, 40 expert speakers and the Souk Project Market, which featured 24 projects in development or production. The festival's juries, led by acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee, awarded top honors across 14 competition categories, recognizing emerging and established talent.
The red carpet was graced by international stars such as Emily Blunt, Viola Davis, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Aamir Khan, Mona Zaki, Michelle Yeoh, Johnny Depp and many more. Additionally, 25 In-Conversation sessions allowed audiences to engage with cinematic icons, including Brendan Fraser, Cynthia Erivo, and Spike Lee.
Furthering its commitment to talent development, the Red Sea Fund has now supported over 280 projects, including an Oscar-nominated film, reinforcing its role as a key driver in the regional and global film industry.
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