image sourced from original article at The Red Sea International Film Festival returns to Jeddah for its fifth edition, bringing together over 100 films from around 70 countries and attracting major stars from the Arab world, Asia, Europe, and Hollywood. This year's festival, led for the first time by new chief executive Faisal Baltyuor, highlights stories of resilience, migration, and identity, with a competition lineup exploring the theme of being lost and found. The event opens with the regional premiere of 'Giant', a biographical drama about British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed, and features notable entries such as Saudi Arabia's Oscar submission 'Hijra' and the first-ever Rohingya-language drama 'Lost Land'.
The festival continues its mission to support emerging filmmakers from regions with developing film industries, including Saudi Arabia, where public cinemas were only recently permitted. Alongside screenings, the festival hosts panel discussions with prominent actors and directors, and showcases films tackling contemporary global issues. With a strong focus on women's roles and a curated selection of international festival favourites, the event aims to position Jeddah as a leading cultural hub and strengthen Saudi Arabia's place on the global cinematic stage.
