The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival is set to begin on December 4, 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This year’s festival will feature the much-anticipated film “Giant,” directed by Rowan Athale. The movie stars Amir El-Masry as legendary British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, with Pierce Brosnan portraying his Irish trainer, Brendan Ingle.
Festival Highlights
“Giant” will mark its Middle East and North African premiere following its world debut at the BFI London Film Festival. The festival will present titles across four different sections, including its competitive segment.
Competition Lineup
This year’s competition features 16 films, comprising eight international works and eight from the Middle East. Among the notable entries are:
- Barni – A debut feature by Mohammed Sheikh, focusing on a nine-year-old girl who goes missing after a wedding in Somalia.
- All That’s Left Of You – Directed by Cherien Dabis, it follows the saga of a Palestinian family over three generations.
- Lost Land – The first-ever Rohingya-language film, crafted by Japanese filmmaker Akio Fujimoto.
- Sink – The directorial debut of Zain Duraie and backed by the Red Sea Film Foundation.
- Hijra – A Saudi submission for the Best International Feature Oscar, supported by the Red Sea fund.
Additional Film Categories
In addition to the competition films, the festival will showcase five titles each in its International Spectacular and Arab Spectacular categories. Highlights include:
- Couture – A Paris fashion week drama featuring Angelina Jolie, directed by Alice Winocour.
- The Wizard Of The Kremlin – A political drama starring Jude Law, directed by Olivier Assayas.
- Palestine 36 – A historical film directed by Annemarie Jacir.
- Unidentified – A crime mystery directed by Haifaa Al Mansour.
Special Screenings
The Special Screenings section will include films from Kaouther Ben Hania and Olivier Laxe, both of which are also nominated for Oscars from their respective countries.
Festival Insights
During a recent press conference, Red Sea Film Foundation managing director Shivani Pandya Malhotra and other key directors spoke about the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse narratives. Fionnuala Halligan, part of the international programs team, highlighted the festival’s unique focus on women in film.
The Red Sea International Film Festival 2025 will run from December 4 to December 13, making it a significant event in the cinematic calendar. This festival promises to be a platform for stories that encapsulate resilience, migration, and identity, marking an essential chapter in the evolving film landscape.
