Latest news with #RedSeaSouk
Broadcast Pro
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to premiere at Locarno Film Festival
The Red Sea Film Foundation supported these projects through its Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Souk initiatives. The 78th Locarno Film Festival, which will take place from August 6 to 16, 2025, has selected three films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation. The selected titles, Irkalla – Gilgamesh's Dream by Iraqi director Mohamed Al-Daradji, Becoming by Kazakh filmmaker Zhannat Alshanova and Exile by Tunisian director Mehdi Hmili, showcase bold storytelling from emerging voices across the Arab world and beyond. Each film received backing through the Red Sea Fund or the Red Sea Souk, initiatives created by the foundation to foster innovative, diverse narratives in global cinema. Irkalla – Gilgamesh's Dream reimagines the ancient Mesopotamian epic through a modern lens, following a diabetic street child who urges his fierce companion Gilgamesh to take him to the mythical underworld, Arkala. Becoming explores themes of identity and self-discovery in contemporary Kazakhstan, tracing a young woman's struggle for independence under the direction of London-based filmmaker Alshanova. In Exile, Hmili paints a haunting picture of grief and resilience set inside Tunisia's largest steel factory, where four workers grappling with physical and mental trauma are bound together by the mysterious disappearance of a colleague. The Red Sea Film Foundation said that they are proud in supporting these projects and hailed their inclusion at Locarno as a major achievement for regional cinema and emerging talent.
CairoScene
28-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Red Sea Souk Opens Submissions for Film Projects & Works-in-Progress
Submissions are now open for the Red Sea Souk's Project Market and Work-in-Progress programmes, supporting Arab, African, and Asian filmmakers during the 2025 Red Sea International Film Festival. The Red Sea Souk, the industry platform of the Red Sea International Film Festival, has opened submissions for its Project Market and Work-in-Progress programmes, taking place during the festival's fifth edition from December 4th to the 13th in Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district. Running from December 6th to 10th, the Red Sea Souk gathers filmmakers, producers, investors, and industry professionals from around the world to support emerging voices and foster international co-productions. The Project Market is accepting applications until June 20th. Eligible entries include narrative, animated, and documentary films in development or production, led by directors from Arab, African, or Asian countries, or of Arab origin. Selected projects will receive tailored mentorship and the chance to pitch directly to distributors, programmers, and producers. The Work-in-Progress programme, open for submissions until July 29th, supports feature films in post-production. Participants will benefit from private industry screenings, expert feedback, and direct access to sales agents, festival representatives, and potential financiers. Both initiatives aim to elevate talent from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia, while enhancing international visibility and collaboration. The Red Sea International Film Festival continues to grow as a regional hub for cinematic exchange and creative industry development.
Broadcast Pro
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
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.
Broadcast Pro
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea Labs unveils selected teams for third edition of SeriesLab
SeriesLab includes an exclusive trip to Los Angeles for intensive training and participation in the Film Independent Forum. Red Sea Labs has announced the eight creative teams selected for the third edition of its SeriesLab programme, an initiative developed in strategic partnership with the Los Angeles-based nonprofit arts organisation Film Independent. Designed to cultivate fresh voices in television, the SeriesLab aims to nurture creative independence and elevate the craft of TV storytelling through an immersive and supportive educational framework. Kicking off in April 2025, the programme will support 16 emerging creators—scriptwriters, co-writers, and producers—through a mix of virtual and in-person residencies. Over several months, participants will receive professional training from experienced television writers, showrunners and industry experts to help them refine their series concepts, develop full pilot scripts, and prepare compelling pitch materials. The programme concludes in December 2025, aligning with the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, where participants will pitch their projects at the Red Sea Souk, the festival's industry platform. This year's selected projects represent a broad geographic spread, showcasing creative talents from Egypt, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. The lineup includes Malpractice by Hind Metwalli and Ahmed El Zoghby (Egypt), Mad Bounty and the Midnight Gun by Talemwa Pius and Tusabe Ivan (Uganda), Till Death Do Us Part by Tomisin Folowosele and producer Orire Nwani (Nigeria) and Money Town by Tony Koros and producer Toni Kamau (Kenya). From Asia, Society by Sushant Nagpal and Mayank Shandilya (India), Flyweights by Eldar Shibanov and co-writer/producer Yuliya Levitskaya (Kazakhstan) and Flash by Sue Young Kim and Donghwan Kim (South Korea) were selected. Representing the host country is the project Dérift by Zahra Zuhair and producer Mawadda Sallam (Saudi Arabia). A major highlight of the SeriesLab programme is a two-week trip to Los Angeles, where participants will engage in high-level workshops and attend the Film Independent Forum, gaining critical industry exposure and mentorship opportunities. This element underscores the programme's mission to bridge regional talent with global platforms and foster meaningful creative exchange. Through this latest edition of SeriesLab, Red Sea Labs and Film Independent continue to invest in the next generation of television storytellers, offering them the tools, network and guidance needed to bring their series to life—and ultimately, to audiences around the world.
Al Arabiya
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea International Film Festival announces 2025 dates
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) announced the dates for its highly anticipated fifth edition, set to take place from December 4-13 at its permanent Jeddah's historic al-Balad. Marking a major milestone, RSIFF's fifth anniversary will build on its legacy of championing cinematic excellence, fostering creativity, and supporting filmmakers from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, the RSIFF said in a statement. The announcement comes shortly after wrapping up its fourth edition which took place from December 5-14, 2024 – the most attended edition yet – and kicked off with the world premiere of Karim Shenawi's 'The Tale of Daye's Family.' The fourth RSIFF transformed Jeddah's historic al-Balad district into a global hub for film and brought together industry legends, visionary filmmakers, and enthusiastic cinephiles from across the world, according to the statement. Last year's theme, 'The New Home of Film,' celebrated the festival's return to the historic Saudi neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and set the stage for impactful industry connections, groundbreaking deals, and new partnerships. The 2024 festival saw record-breaking participation, with over 40,000 attendees and nearly 7,000 accredited guests, showcasing 122 films from 85 countries, including 61 premieres. A total of 302 screenings took place, with half of the films being world or international premieres, including 46 world premieres, 15 international premieres, and 53 MENA premieres. The success of this edition reinforced RSIFF's growing impact as a major cultural and industry event, the statement added. Red Sea Souk Building on the festival's success, the Red Sea Souk also wrapped up a successful edition with 142 exhibiting companies, 40 Souk Talks speakers, and the Souk Project Market, which featured 24 projects in development or production and 7 works-in-progress in post-production by Arab, African, and Asian directors. Presided over by Spike Lee, the festival's two juries deliberated across 14 competition categories, with 16 feature films vying for top honors, alongside short films from the Arab world, Asia, and Africa featured in the New Saudi, New Cinema, and Arab Shorts programs. The festival's red carpet was a magnet for global stars, with this edition honoring Emily Blunt, Aamir Khan, Mona Zaki, Viola Davis, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Other notable attendees included Michelle Yeoh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Johnny Depp, Yousra, Vin Diesel, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Brendan Fraser, and Mohamed Sami. of 4 The 2024 edition also hosted 25 'In-Conversation' sessions with renowned figures such as Aamir Khan, Emily Blunt, Cynthia Erivo, Brendan Fraser, Mohamed Sami, and Spike Lee, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with some of the biggest names in global cinema. Furthering its commitment to nurturing talent, the Red Sea Fund has now supported over 280 projects, including one Oscar-nominated film, solidifying its role as a vital force in the regional and international film industry. As the festival prepares for its landmark fifth edition, it remains dedicated to celebrating storytelling, championing bold new voices, and shaping the future of cinema, according to the statement.
