Red Sea International Film Festival Opens Call for Entries for Its Fifth Edition in 2025

Jeddah, 8 Dhul Qadah 1446 AH / May 6, 2025

The Red Sea International Film Festival announced the opening of submissions for its fifth edition, set to take place from December 4 to 13, 2025, at its iconic location in historic "Al-Balad," Jeddah. Filmmakers from inside and outside the Kingdom can submit their projects from May 6 through August 17, 2025, with a free early-submission window that closes July 7, 2025.

The festival extends its invitation to established cinematic names and rising talent from Saudi Arabia, the Arab region, Africa and Asia to take part with creative works that tell distinctive stories and showcase vibrant cultural and human narratives.

Submission categories include the Red Sea Feature Film Competition, the Red Sea Short Film Competition, and the "New Saudi/Arabian Cinema" section, which focuses on showcasing rising Saudi cinematic talent.

Entries will compete for the prestigious "Yusr" awards, including the Golden Yusr Award for Best Feature Film, worth $100,000, in addition to awards for Best Director, the Jury Prize and Best Short Film.

In a statement, Red Sea Film Foundation managing director Shivani Pandya Malhotra said the fifth edition marks the festival's fifth anniversary, noting that in a short span it has become an influential platform in the regional and global film scene, having screened more than 520 films from 85 countries since its launch, celebrated Saudi cinema by screening more than 130 Saudi films, and hosted 160 exclusive world premieres.

The Red Sea Film Festival today serves as a key driver of cinematic creativity and strengthens the Kingdom's presence on the global film map, opening new windows for filmmakers to express their stories through a platform defined by diversity, professionalism and innovation.