Discover the Magic of Red Sea Film Festival

Lights, Camera, Action at RSIFF 2024

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) lit up Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 5–14, 2024. It brought together global stars, fans, and industry pros for exciting talks, creative insights, and meaningful connections.

In Conversation With talks took place at the brand-new Cultural Square in Al Balad for the first time. The Souk Talents strand added to the buzz, c”showcasing stories and passions that fuel cinematic creativity.

Souk Talents: Your Ticket to Film Greatness

Souk Talents is where cinematic aspirations come to life. Whether you’re into directing, producing, or just love a good story, this program gives you the skills, tools, and community to take your creativity to the next level.

This year’s star-studded lineup of Red Sea International Film Festival speakers includes Andrew Garfield, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Michael Mann, and Eva Longoria. With hands-on workshops and exclusive talks, they’ll inspire and guide you to make your mark in the world of cinema.

A Star-Studded Speaker Lineup

The Red Sea Film Festival 2024 was a powerhouse of talent, featuring Egyptian director Mohamed Samy, Turkish stars Engin Altan Düzyatan and Nurgül Yeşilçay, and Indian megastar Ranbir Kapoor.

They joined previously announced speakers like Egyptian actor Mona Zaki and Academy Award-winner Viola Davis, creating an unforgettable lineup full of cinematic inspiration and insight.

A Cinematic Feast of Global Talent

The Red Sea Film Festival has revealed an exciting selection for its fourth edition, featuring 120 films from 81 territories. Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee will head the jury for the features competition, which includes 16 films from the MENA region, Asia, and Africa.

Lee will also take part in the In Conversation With strand, bringing his expertise and perspective to this year’s celebration of international cinema.

A Powerful Opening with The Tale of Daye’s Family

The Red Sea Film Festival kicked off with Egyptian director Karim Shenawy’s The Tale of Daye’s Family (aka Light ), a powerful story about an 11-year-old Nubian albino boy with a beautiful voice. Facing adversity due to his unique appearance, Daye is abandoned by his father and bullied by his peers.

Determined to follow in the footsteps of his idol, singer Mohamed Mounir, Daye, and his family embark on a perilous 1,000-mile journey from Southern Egypt to Cairo for a chance to audition for The Voice .

Emily Blunt Honored at Red Sea Film Fest 2024

At the Red Sea Film Festival 2024, global icons were recognized for their exceptional contributions. Emily Blunt, known for her breakout role in The Devil Wears Prada and gripping performance in A Quiet Place , has proven herself one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses.

Her portrayal in Oppenheimer earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, adding to her impressive collection of awards, including a Golden Globe and SAG Award.

Aamir Khan, Honoree for His Cinematic Legacy

Aamir Khan was honored at the Red Sea Film Festival 2024 for his outstanding contributions to cinema. Movies like Lagaan , 3 Idiots , Dangal , and PK have earned critical acclaim and massive box-office success worldwide, with Lagaan even receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

He is one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema, known for his commitment to socially relevant films and storytelling. Khan has played a pivotal role in bringing Indian cinema to international audiences and reshaping global perceptions of Bollywood with his impactful work.

Viola Davis Honored at Red Sea Film Festival 2024

Academy Award-winning actor and producer Viola Davis was honored at the Yusr Awards Ceremony during the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival. Known for her achievements, including the Triple Crown of Acting and EGOT, Davis has become one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood.

In addition to receiving this prestigious honor, Davis also participated in the festival’s Souk film market, aimed at cultivating talent and projects.

As co-founder of JVL Media, a full-service production/media packaging firm and publishing house, she continues to make significant contributions to the industry.

Vin Diesel Honored for His Iconic Characters

Vin Diesel, one of Hollywood’s most iconic action stars, was also among the honorees at the Red Sea Film Festival 2024. Best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise, Diesel has created memorable, multifaceted characters that earned him a global following.

His roles in some of the world’s most successful film franchises have secured his legacy in cinematic history, making him a fan favorite for over two decades.

Priyanka Chopra Honored at Red Sea Film Festival 2024

Actress Priyanka Chopra received an honorary award presented by Sarah Jessica Parker. Known for her iconic Hollywood and Bollywood roles, Chopra shared the red carpet with her husband, Nick Jonas.

Chopra was named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2016 and 2017 and appeared on Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list.

Star-Studded Films Set for Gala Screenings

The 2024 Red Sea Film Festival features starry titles in its International Spectacular line-up, including Pablo Larraín’s biopic Maria , starring Angelina Jolie as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas.

The festival also showcased Monsieur Aznavour by Mehdi Idir, starring Tahar Rahim as the French crooner, and My Way , a Jane Fonda-narrated documentary by Thierry Teston and Lisa Azeulos.

Other highlights included We Live in Time with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.

MENA premieres

Mahdi Fleifel’s To A Land Unknown premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and had its MENA debut at the festival. Roya Sadat’s Sima’s Song explored women’s rights during 1970s Afghanistan under Russian occupation.

Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegaon celebrated a group of amateur filmmakers creating a tribute to their city. Kurdwin Ayub’s Moon offered a poignant tale, blending Iraqi and Austrian storytelling.

Arab Spectacular

The Arab Spectacular lineup showcased diverse tales, including Abdo & Saneya , about an Egyptian couple navigating life in New York, and Front Row , where a family’s beach day goes hilariously awry. Hobal followed a Bedouin family grappling with isolation and tragedy in the desert.

Other highlights included Lail Nahar , exploring love and redemption through a viral scandal, and My Driver and I , chronicling a unique bond between a Saudi girl and her Sudanese driver in 80s Jeddah.

Johnny Depp’s Modi Shines at Red Sea Gala

Johnny Depp’s Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness screened at a special awards gala, supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation. Depp highlighted the festival’s efforts to foster Saudi Arabia’s youth and cinema future.

In a pre-recorded message, he praised Red Sea for its generosity in developing young talent. He acknowledged the foundation’s role in shaping the kingdom’s cultural and cinematic landscape.

Red Sea Film Festival Wraps Up with Better Man

The festival closed with Better Man , a musical by The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey, showcasing Robbie Williams as a humanoid chimpanzee. The unique biopic captivated audiences as the final highlight of the event.

As the festival celebrated global storytelling, Juries selected winners across 14 categories, with 16 feature films and 48 shorts competing. The awards spanned programs like New Saudi, New Cinema, Arab Shorts, and International Shorts.

Discover the captivating story of Better Man , where Robbie Williams portrays his own life as a CGI monkey .

A Record-Breaking Year

The 2024 Red Sea Film Festival marked its most successful year yet, celebrating growth on every front. It welcomed an impressive number of accredited guests, showcasing the global appeal of the event.

With over 30,000 tickets sold for screenings and In Conversation events, the festival reached new heights. This milestone reflects its commitment to celebrating diverse storytelling and engaging audiences worldwide.

The 2024 Red Sea Film Festival’s record-breaking success sets the stage for the Golden Globes 2025. Check out the nominations and records.

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