JEDDAH: The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened submissions for its fifth edition, set to take place from Dec. 4 to 13 in the historic Al-Balad district of Jeddah.
Filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the wider Arab world, Africa, and Asia have until Aug. 17 to submit their entries.
Early submissions before July 7 are free of charge; afterward, a fee of SR100 ($26) for short films and SR200 for feature films will apply.
Submissions are being accepted under three categories: the Red Sea Competition, Red Sea Shorts Competition, and New Saudi/New Cinema.
The Red Sea Competition showcases outstanding films from Asia, Africa, and the Arab world across narrative, documentary, and animation.
The Shorts Competition highlights films under 60 minutes, while New Saudi/New Cinema focuses on emerging local talent in Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry.
Launched in 2019, the festival has become a prominent platform for cultural exchange and cinematic discovery, connecting regional and international filmmakers.
This year’s selected films will compete for the Yusr Awards, including the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film, which carries a $100,000 prize, along with awards for Best Director, Jury Prize, and Best Short Film.
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, managing director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said the festival has established itself as a significant force in the global cinematic landscape, showcasing over 520 films from 85 countries to date.
