The Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled its new slogan for the 2024 edition, "A New Home for Cinema," marking the festival's return to the historic Al-Balad district, a symbol of place and cultural identity. The festival is preparing to host a diverse lineup of screenings spanning multiple cultures, reflecting its commitment to celebrating cinema as a means of exploring identity and memory.

The festival announced the world premiere of "Hobal," a joint Egyptian-Saudi production that delivers a moving message combining tolerance, ambition and the power of music as a means of expression and change. Sixteen films have been selected to compete in the festival's official competition, to be judged by a panel of international jurors.

Among the competing films is "To a Land Unknown" by Palestinian director Mahdi Fleifel, which will have its Middle East and North Africa premiere, along with "Sima's Song" by Afghan director Roya Sadat, and "Superboys of Malegaon" by Indian director Reema Kagti. Also screening is "To Kill a Mongolian Horse" by Xiaoxuan Jiang, a film funded by the Red Sea Film Festival.

The festival also announced a screening of the biographical film "Better Man," about British singer Robbie Williams, directed by Michael Gracey. The fourth edition will also feature "Modi," directed by Johnny Depp, which chronicles the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. This year's edition targets children and families with a diverse program, including the musical film "Sukkar" by director Tamer Mahdy and the animated film "Panda Bear in Africa" by director Richard Claus, aimed at sparking young viewers' and film lovers' imagination.