Latest news with #ShivaniPandyaMalhotra
Broadcast Pro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea International Film Festival opens submissions for fifth edition
During the early bird period, entries can be submitted free of charge, with standard submission fees beginning on July 7. Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) has opened submissions for the fifth edition. The festival is set to take place from 4–13 December 2025 in the vibrant historic district of Al Balad, Jeddah. The Red Sea International Film Festival (RedSeaIFF) has opened submissions for its fifth edition, which is set to take place from December 4 to 13, 2025, in the historic district of Al Balad, Jeddah. The festival invites filmmakers, producers and distributors from Saudi Arabia, the broader Arab world, Africa and Asia to submit their projects for consideration, with the final deadline set for August 17, 2025. An early bird submission window is available until July 7, 2025, offering participants the opportunity to apply at no cost. Submissions are now being accepted across several key sections of the festival, including the Red Sea: Competition and Red Sea: Shorts Competition, as well as the New Saudi/New Cinema section, which is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Saudi filmmaking talent. Celebrating its fifth year, the Red Sea IFF continues to expand its influence and cultural significance, having already screened over 520 films from 85 countries and hosted more than 160 global premieres. With more than 130 Saudi films featured since its launch, the festival remains committed to showcasing homegrown narratives while promoting international cinematic dialogue. The selected films will be in contention for the Yusr Awards, including the coveted Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film, which carries a grand prize of $100,000. Other honours include awards for Best Director, the Jury Prize, and the Golden Yusr for Best Short Film. Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: 'This year, we take great pride in marking the fifth anniversary of the Red Sea International Film Festival – a journey through which the Festival has firmly established itself as a distinctive force within the cinematic landscape, both locally and internationally. Having showcased over 520 films from 85 countries, the Festival stands today as a vital platform for cultural exchange and compelling storytelling. As we open submissions for our fifth edition, we warmly invite filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa, and Asia to present their work and contribute to this growing cinematic dialogue.' During the early bird submission period, projects can be submitted at no cost, with the regular price for submissions starting on July 7, with 100SAR (VAT inclusive) for shorts and 200SAR (VAT inclusive) for Features.
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.
Broadcast Pro
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to screen at Berlinale 2025
The Red Sea Film Foundation will also participate in the Saudi Pavilion at the European Film Market during the film festival. 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.
Mid East Info
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
RED SEA FUND OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR CYCLE 1 OF 2025 POST-PRODUCTION GRANTS, AND EXPANDS TO ASIA FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Red Sea Fund, a program under the Red Sea Film Foundation, has opened submissions for post-production projects in the first cycle of the year, running from February 6 to February 27, 2025. For the first time, the Fund is now accepting submissions from Asia, welcoming voices from the continent to apply alongside storytellers from Saudi Arabia, Africa, and the Arab world. Interested filmmakers can submit their applications HERE . Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Red Sea Film Foundation Managing Director, remarked: 'The Red Sea Fund champions projects across stages and cycles, providing financial grants that bring bold ideas to life. Our expansion into Asia reflects our commitment to talents and stories that are often underrepresented, providing filmmakers with an avenue to execute their vision and reach the world.' Established in 2021, the Red Sea Fund has supported 280+ projects. Several former recipients have gone on to earn global recognition and accolades. The first cycle of 2025 is open to a range of post-production projects, including feature-length fiction, documentary, or animation films. 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.
