Filmmakers, rejoice! The Red Sea International Film Festival is back with its third edition, inviting filmmakers and distributors from Asia, Africa, and the Arab world to submit their films and time is of the essence as they have until 18th August 2023 to do so. The festival is set to take place from 30th November 2023 to 9th December 2023, in Saudi Arabia.
The festival’s program will feature eleven curated categories highlighting contemporary international and Arab cinema, Saudi features, shorts, experimental films, and future-oriented AR and VR experiences. Emerging and established Arab, Asian and African filmmakers across the world are encouraged to submit their films for the Red Sea: Competition and the Red Sea: Shorts Competition sections.
Saudi filmmakers can also submit their work to be screened as part of the feature and short films strand, New Saudi/New Cinema. The second edition of the festival was lauded for significantly expanding the industry and events program, presenting 143 films from 66 countries to 39,410 filmgoers and 4,345 film professionals, media members, and students.
The films in competition will compete for the Yusr Awards, including the Red Sea Golden Yusr Award for Best Film in Competition, which carries a cash prize of $100,000. Other awards include Best Director, the Red Sea Silver Yusr Jury Prize, and the Golden Yusr for Best Short Film.
The Red Sea International Film Festival has been a significant platform for promoting diversity and inclusivity in the film industry. In the second edition, the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film was awarded to “Hanging Gardens” directed by Ahmed Yassin Al-Daradji. The Film Al Ula Audience Award for Best Saudi Film was won by “How I Got There,” directed by Zeyad Al-Husaini.
The annual festival has undoubtedly become one of the most sought-after events for filmmakers, as it promotes creativity, diversity, and inclusivity in the film industry. It has also become a significant platform for showcasing the work of emerging and established filmmakers from across the globe.
With its call for submissions, the festival is once again inviting filmmakers to submit their work and be part of this exciting event. It is an opportunity not to be missed, as it provides a chance to showcase one’s talent and work alongside some of the industry’s most celebrated filmmakers.
So, to all the filmmakers out there, make sure to submit your films and be part of the Red Sea International Film Festival’s third edition. It’s your chance to shine, to promote your work, and to inspire others with your creativity and talent!
