JEDDAH: British Indian filmmaker Rowan Athale’s “Giant,” the boxing biopic starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan, is set to open the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The festival held a press conference on Nov. 4 at Culture Square in Al-Balad to announce the lineup and major highlights of the event, which takes place from Dec. 4-13.
Returning with the theme “For the Love of Cinema,” this year’s edition promises more than 100 films from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Asia and Africa, alongside exclusive screenings, industry initiatives and a renewed focus on women filmmakers and global collaborations.
Faisal Baltyuor, the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “Every year our priority is to connect with the public and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. This year we’ve introduced a dedicated space where filmmakers can meet audiences, along with a special area for children to experience cinema.
“The festival’s slogan truly reflects its foundation, nurturing passion and creativity from an early age. Through our new program, Rising Talents — The Voices of Tomorrow, we’re empowering young storytellers aged 10-16 across regions like Jazan, Makkah, Qassim and others. We’ve already received remarkable films, and it’s inspiring to see such quality and vision emerging from across the Kingdom.”
