The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) Announces Dates for Its Fifth Edition

 

Mark your calendars! The fifth edition of the RSIFF is set to unfold from December 4-13, 2025, in the historic Al-Balad district of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Celebrating Five Years of Cinematic Excellence

 

As it commemorates its fifth anniversary, RSIFF is dedicated to enhancing its legacy of promoting cinematic excellence, nurturing creativity, and supporting filmmakers from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This announcement follows the remarkable success of RSIFF 2024, which attracted record-breaking attendance and featured a star-studded lineup of global industry leaders.

A Transformative Fourth Edition

 

The fourth edition, held from December 5-14, 2024, transformed Jeddah’s Al-Balad district into a vibrant global film hub, drawing over 40,000 attendees and nearly 7,000 accredited guests. With 122 films from 85 countries—including 61 premieres—the festival solidified its status as a significant cultural and industry event.

Industry Engagement and Recognition

 

The industry-focused Red Sea Souk at RSIFF 2024 showcased a robust presence, featuring 142 exhibiting companies, 40 expert speakers, and the Souk Project Market, which highlighted 24 projects in various stages of development or production. The festival’s juries, led by the acclaimed Spike Lee, recognized both emerging and established talent by awarding top honors across 14 competition categories.

Star-Studded Red Carpet and Engaging Conversations

 

The red carpet was a dazzling affair, graced by international stars such as Emily Blunt, Viola Davis, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Aamir Khan, Mona Zaki, Michelle Yeoh, and Johnny Depp. Additionally, the festival featured 25 In-Conversation sessions, allowing audiences to engage with cinematic icons like Brendan Fraser, Cynthia Erivo, and Spike Lee.

Commitment to Talent Development

 

Reinforcing its commitment to nurturing talent, the Red Sea Fund has supported over 280 projects, including an Oscar-nominated film, establishing itself as a pivotal player in the regional and global film industry.