The second half of the Red Sea International Film Festival's competition lineup showcases a diverse range of films from across the globe, each exploring themes of identity, resilience, and hope. Highlights include 'Hijra', a Saudi drama about women navigating generational bonds during a pilgrimage, and 'Barni', a Somali coming-of-age story centered on a sister's disappearance. Lebanese entry 'A Sad and Beautiful World' examines the complexities of love and the future in a troubled homeland, while 'Allah is Not Obliged' adapts a powerful novel about a child soldier's journey across West Africa.

Other notable contenders are 'All That's Left of You', a Palestinian-American family saga spanning decades of trauma and resistance, and 'Irkalla: Gilgamesh's Dream', which follows two orphans in Baghdad seeking escape and reunion. 'Lost Land' offers a poignant look at Rohingya siblings fleeing persecution, marking the first feature in their language. Rounding out the selection is 'Black Rabbit, White Rabbit', an Iranian mystery representing Tajikistan, weaving together stories of suspicion and ambition on a film set.

These films, screening in Jeddah from December 4 to 13, reflect the festival's commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and stories from the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.