The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation made an official announcement today revealing the names of the recipients who will be benefiting from the first cycle of post-production funding provided by the Red Sea Fund in 2023. A total of eight films created by filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, and Africa have been selected to receive grants that will assist in their completion, showcasing significant narratives and highlighting emerging talents from the region. With a remarkable response, the Red Sea Fund's 2023 post-production cycle received a total of 59 applications, which were carefully reviewed and narrowed down to a shortlist of 18 outstanding films. From this esteemed selection, eight exceptional projects were chosen, including five scripted features and three captivating documentaries. One particularly anticipated film, "The Omen," directed by Baloji, has been chosen to premiere at the renowned Cannes Film Festival in 2023. This selection reaffirms the Red Sea Film Festival's commitment to championing filmmakers who are leading the way and inspiring a new generation of creative visionaries. Expressing his enthusiasm, Mohammed Al Turki, the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, shared his excitement about unveiling these eight remarkable projects that will benefit from the Red Sea Fund's post-production grant. This grant plays a crucial role in assisting filmmakers in finalizing their projects and preparing them for distribution and exhibition. The selected documentary projects are as follows:
- "Anti-Cinema," directed by Ali Saeed (Saudi Arabia)
- "Ressacs, A Taureg Story," directed by Intagrist El Ansari (Mauritania, Mali)
- "Run for Life," directed by Bachar Khattar (Lebanon)
The selected fictional feature projects are as follows:
- "Dead Dog," directed by Sarah Francis (Lebanon, France)
- "Holes," directed by Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan (Saudi Arabia)
- "Red Path," directed by Lotfi Achour (Tunisia, France)
- "Songs of Adam," directed by Oday Rasheed (Iraq, Netherlands)
- "The Omen," directed by Balogi (Belgium, France, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Netherlands, Cameroon)
About the Red Sea International Film Festival: The Red Sea International Film Festival serves as a prominent platform for Arab filmmakers and industry professionals worldwide to connect, host feature and short film competitions, and present a series of events, masterclasses, and workshops aimed at nurturing emerging talents. Running parallel to the festival is the Red Sea Souk, an industry market specifically designed for global exchange and partnerships between the international and Saudi film industries. Over the course of four days, the market will offer a comprehensive program of curated events, fostering co-production, international distribution, and new business opportunities. The Souk provides unparalleled access to the vibrant Saudi scene as well as the thriving Arab market, offering pitching sessions, one-on-one meetings, screenings, industry talks, and networking events.