Red Sea, red carpet – Jeddah film festival celebrates 5th year
The 5th edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival kicked off in Jeddah’s historic district this December, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and film lovers from across the world. With an impressive lineup – we’re talking more than 100 films from over 70 countries – this year’s edition saw Saudi further establish some main character energy in global cinema.
The festival’s official selection brought together a diverse slate of features, shorts, and documentaries. There were standout contenders like Hijra, a Saudi-led drama exploring identity and family across borders; A Sad and Beautiful World, a moving multi-national (Saudi-Lebanese-Qatar-German-American) story layered with emotion and political tension; and Black Rabbit, White Rabbit, a Tajiki-Emirati psychological drama that pinned audiences to their seat – even after the movie ended.
Meanwhile, the sea wasn’t the only red along Jeddah’s waterfront; the red carpet welcomed local, regional, and international stars. And just as the city itself has always been a meeting point of cultures, so the Film Festival has become a meeting point for creative talent, industry movers and shakers, and storytelling vision. If you wanted to know what’s next for cinema in the region and beyond, Jeddah was the place to be!
Some of the most talked about moments during the festival were the insightful discussions led by major names in global film. Idris Elba brought his directorial project Dust to Dreams and shared thoughts on building more opportunities for emerging filmmakers. Well-known names like Sigourney Weaver and Anthony Hopkins were also in the mix, sharing their takes in raw conversations about their craft, while the Golden Globes Honors spotlighted regional and international talent, including Tunisian-Egyptian legend Hend Sabry and British-Indian Bollywood sensation Alia Bhatt.
But, amid the international starts, the energy from Saudi filmmakers was especially noticeable this year. Local directors were carving out space with confidence, including Business Bag – Rwad Khalid’s animated story of an over-worked, over-caffeinated man whose bag suddenly flies away in the dead of the night, which becomes an occasion for him to explore his beloved city of Riyadh. The festival brought stories rooted in the region, while resonating far beyond it.
One thing is certain: the 2025 edition has raised the bar yet again and the Red Sea Film Festival is the place to see perspectives, cultures, and genres meet. Enthusiasts walk away with longer watchlists, or just to get some popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the show.
