Spike Lee has been appointed as the president of the main competition jury for the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This year’s festival will feature 16 films competing in the main competition lineup from December 5-14. Among the titles are Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegaon, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, and Kurdwin Ayub’s Moon, which made its debut at the Locarno Film Festival, where it received the special jury prize.

“Having had the fortunate opportunity to witness the remarkable filmmaking, atmosphere, and creativity at the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2022, it is an honor to return this year as jury president,” Lee remarked. “In addition to fostering a space for cultures to unite in celebrating this vital art form, it is essential to continue showcasing young and emerging filmmakers who are finding their voices in the industry. I am thrilled to see first-time directors from the Arab region, Asia, and Africa included in this year’s competition lineup.”

Jomana Al Rashid, chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, praised Lee, stating, “Spike is a trailblazing director whose iconic contributions have left a significant mark on both film and broader culture. His enthusiasm, insight, and authentic support for creativity and new voices make him the perfect choice to lead our jury this year.”

Honors for and onstage appearances by Viola Davis and Egyptian actress Mona Zaki (notable for roles in Perfect Strangers, Flight 404, Aserb: The Squadron, and The Spider) have also been previously announced for RSIFF 2024. The festival will kick off with Karim Shenawi’s The Tale of Daye’s Family and conclude with Better Man, a biopic of Robbie Williams directed by Michael Gracey.

Last year, writer, director, and producer Baz Luhrmann (known for Elvis and Moulin Rouge) chaired the features competition jury at the Jeddah festival. Zarrar Khan’s In Flames won the Yusr Award for best competition film, telling the story of a mother and daughter navigating loss, oppression, and vulnerability following the death of the family’s patriarch.

Person

Spike Lee, Reema Kagti, Kurdwin Ayub, Jomana Al Rashid, Viola Davis, Mona Zaki, Baz Luhrmann, Zarrar Khan, Robbie Williams

Company Names

Red Sea International Film Festival, Red Sea Film Foundation, Toronto Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival

Titles

Superboys of Malegaon, Moon, Perfect Strangers, Flight 404, Aserb: The Squadron, The Spider, The Tale of Daye’s Family, Better Man, Elvis, Moulin Rouge, In Flames

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