Jeddah's Historic Culture Square witnessed, on Thursday evening, the opening of the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival 2024, held under the theme "Cinema Has a New Home" and running through December 14. The opening was attended by an elite group of global film stars, filmmakers and directors, alongside the world premiere of the Saudi-Egyptian co-production "Dia," with its main cast in attendance.

Festival program

The festival offers a packed schedule of activities aimed at reinforcing the Kingdom's status as a global filmmaking destination, including:

  • Panel discussions with a select group of filmmakers and directors.
  • Training workshops to develop filmmaking skills.
  • Film screenings from 85 countries in 49 languages.

Supporting Arab and international cinema

Jomana Al-Rashid, chair of the board of trustees of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said the festival aims to spotlight Arab cinema and honor leading local and international artists. She added that this year's edition includes 122 film projects, as part of efforts to support local, regional and international talent.

Honoring the stars

The ceremony honored a number of international stars, including:

  • Emily Blunt: in recognition of her outstanding body of work.
  • Mona Zaki: for her influence on Egyptian and Arab cinema.
  • Aamir Khan: an icon of Indian cinema.
  • Vin Diesel: a special award recognizing his artistic career.

Jury and film screenings

The Red Sea International Film Festival's competition jury is chaired by acclaimed director Spike Lee, alongside a select group of creatives. The festival invited film lovers to enjoy the standout screenings and book tickets through its official website: redseafilmfest.com.

A renewed cinematic vision

Mohammed bin Ayedh Asiri, the festival's acting CEO, said the screening of "Dia" reflects the festival's commitment to supporting Arab cinematic creativity, noting that the festival offers a space for interaction between local and international cinema, reinforcing Jeddah's status as a global film destination.