Latest news with #RedSeaSouk
CairoScene
4 days ago
- 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.
Mid East Info
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
RED SEA FILM FOUNDATION CHAMPIONS ARAB AND AFRICAN CINEMA AT THE BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL WITH NINE SUPPORTED FILMS
Nine Red Sea-Supported Films to Screen at Berlinale, Including One in Competition. The Red Sea Film Foundation presents nine supported films across six sections, including one in Competition, at the 75 th Berlin International Film Festival (13 – 23 February 2025), reinforcing its commitment to elevating Arab, African, and Asian cinema worldwide. Yunan, supported by both the Red Sea Fund and the Red Sea Souk, is competing in the festival's Competition, vying for the Golden and Silver Bear awards alongside 20 other films. Two titles supported by The Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Lodge – The Settlement and The Sun Sees Everything – will be showcased as part of the Perspectives section for new filmmakers and the Berlinale Co-Production Market respectively. Six films supported by the Red Sea Fund have earned a spot at the festival: The Heart is a Muscle and Yalla Parkour in the Panorama section; The Tale of Daye's Family and Têtes Brûlées in the Generation 14plus strand; Ancestral Visions of the Future in the Berlinale Speciale section; and Holiday in the Berlinale Co-Production Market. Alongside these films, The Red Sea Film Foundation will also participate in the Saudi Pavilion at the European Film Market (EFM) during the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, engaging in industry discussions and networking opportunities. 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 honor 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 programs and embodying a platform for connection and networking. The Lodge is the Foundation's training program 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. Films Synopses: Yunan is the second instalment in the 'Home' trilogy from the Syrian director Ameer Fakher Eldin . It depicts an exiled, suicidal Arab author whose instincts for life are reawakened by the quiet humanity of a devoted elderly woman at his modest hotel on the North Sea coast. Writer-director Mohamed Rashad makes his feature film debut with The Settlement, a drama tackling labor abuses in Egypt and inspired by real-life events. The film centers on two brothers who as 'compensation' for the accidental death of their father are hired at a blade factory, where they find themselves working alongside the man responsible for their father's death. The Sun Sees Everything, the second feature film from Lebanon's Wissam Tanios, is set in a crisis-stricken Beirut where, after the sudden death of her husband, a mother and her teenage daughter find themselves in a situation where they must swap roles to rebuild their fractured relationship and uncover their unspoken secrets. A South Africa-Saudi Arabia co-production directed by Cape Town's Imran Hamdulay, The Heart is a Muscle will have its world premiere in Berlin. It follows a man's journey of self-discovery after his violent reaction to a near-tragedy at a family barbecue. Yalla Parkour is a documentary from Areeb Zuaiter having its European premiere at the Berlinale – a story where the weight of the past meets an unpredictable future in a journey inspired by a parkour athlete in Gaza. Following its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival, The Tale of Daye's Family, from director Karim El Shenawy, will be marking its European premiere at the Berlinale. It tells the story of Daye, a 14-year-old Nubian albino with a golden voice who journeys to Cairo with his family so he can audition for The Voice. Belgian film Têtes Brûlées will have its world premiere in Berlin and has already secured a worldwide distribution deal. The film follows a 12-year-old girl who draws on her creativity as she grieves the sudden death of her beloved older brother. The main cast of non-professional actors in their first roles was directed by Maja Ajmia Yde Zellama, with award-winning producers Nabil Ben Yadir and Marc Goyens. Ancestral Visions of the Future is a documentary in which the Mosotho filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese presents a poetic allegory of his childhood in southern Africa. Through fragmented narratives and mythic imagery he crafts a reflection on dislocation and belonging. Holiday is directed by Lebanon's Wissam Charaf, who in 2022 became the first Arab director to win the Europa Cinemas Prize at the Venice International Film Festival. It is a coming-of-age story about a boy whose family is forced to flee unrest in West Beirut and take refuge with an aunt in southern Lebanon. About The Red Sea Film Foundation: The Red Sea Film Foundation is a rapidly emerging force in the global film industry. As an independent, non-profit organization, it fosters the film sector in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Asia and Africa. Its initiatives are closely aligned with Saudi Arabia's plans for nurturing film and culture, emphasizing the pillars of a vibrant society and a thriving cultural scene. Leading the charge on the cultural and cinematic front, the Red Sea Film Foundation is transforming Saudi Arabia into a prominent global hub for film and a platform for storytellers. The Red Sea Film Foundation's flagship initiatives—the Red Sea Fund, Red Sea Labs, the Red Sea Souk, and the Red Sea International Film Festival—aim to champion and support filmmakers in bringing their visions to life and presenting their films on a global stage. About the Red Sea Fund: The Red Sea Fund is a pioneering initiative by the Red Sea Film Foundation, dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering growth in the global film industry. With a focus on supporting filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab region, and Africa, the fund provides crucial financial support, mentoring, and resources to bring diverse narratives and innovative ideas to life.
