International and regional films to premiere at Red Sea Film Festival 2023 under 'Your Story, Your Festival' theme

Set to grace Jeddah, from November 30 to December 9, the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) will return to the Kingdom for its third edition.

Just this week, the film festival announced its distinctive theme for this year: "Your Story, Your Festival." This theme aims to encapsulate the essence of individual narratives, through embodying the ideals of connectivity, diversity and cultural exchange, all through the digital format of film.

Organisers of the event have unveiled a diverse selection of films hailing from Saudi Arabia, and the MENA region. These films will feature alongside the additional film events and showcases: the Arab Spectacular and the Red Sea: Competition.

The festival's program is poised to spotlight cinematic creations and creatives emerging from the Middle East and North Africa regions. Showcasing a curated selection of 36 feature-length and short films originating from Saudi Arabia, promising a captivating exploration of regional storytelling and cinematic brilliance.

The esteemed Red Sea: Competition is set to showcase 17 films, encompassing both narratives and documentaries, sourced from Asia, Africa, and the Arab world. This segment of the Red Sea Film Festival promises to unveil pioneering cinematic techniques and compelling narratives, with prizes conferred by an international jury presided over by the esteemed filmmaker Baz Luhrmann.

Whilst the Arab Spectacular will showcase Arab innovation in film, within this curation will be a meticulously curated array of commercial and independent films, encompassing award-winning gems and regional debuts. This strand of the film festival stands as a tribute to the films and creatives that are deeply entrenched in the creation and moulding of the vibrancy of Arab cinema.

Among the highlights of this lineup is the world premiere of "Norah," marking the maiden production filmed entirely in Saudi Arabia's AlUla region by Tawfik Alzaidi. Also gracing the screen for the first time is "Backstage," the debut feature from directorial duo Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane. Backstage will offer a vibrant, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the journey of a touring dance troupe.

Further enriching the Red Sea: Competition lineup will be Farah Nabulsi's much lauded and much anticipated debut, "The Teacher,". Filmed in the West Bank, The Teacher stars British actress, Imogen Poots. Karim Bensalah's "Six Feet Over" follows the story of the son of an Algerian diplomat who chooses to work for Muslim undertakers, while Parviz Shahbazi's visually captivating feature, "Roxana," from Iran, delves into a man's transformative journey for love.

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