The Red Sea International Film Festival is officially accepting film submissions for its fifth edition, scheduled to take place in Jeddah from 4 to 13 December 2025. The announcement marks the next chapter in the festival’s growth as a major platform for filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa, and Asia.
Submissions are now open for several categories including the Red Sea: Competition, Red Sea: Shorts Competition, and New Saudi/New Cinema section. Early bird entries, which are free of charge, will be accepted until 7 July 2025. After that, a fee of 100 SAR for short films and 200 SAR for feature films will apply until the final deadline on 17 August 2025.
Since its launch, the Red Sea IFF has showcased over 520 films from 85 countries and hosted more than 160 world premieres. The festival has become a launchpad for Saudi filmmakers, with over 130 Saudi titles featured to date.
Selected films will be eligible for the Yusr Awards, including the prestigious Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film which carries a prize of 100,000 US dollars. Other awards include Best Director, Jury Prize, Best Short Film, and several recognitions in acting, screenplay, and cinematic achievement.
“This year, we take great pride in marking the fifth anniversary of the Red Sea International Film Festival – a journey through which the Festival has firmly established itself as a distinctive force within the cinematic landscape, both locally and internationally.,” said Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation.
“Having showcased over 520 films from 85 countries, the Festival stands today as a vital platform for cultural exchange and compelling storytelling. As we open submissions for our fifth edition, we warmly invite filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa, and Asia to present their work and contribute to this growing cinematic dialogue.”
Each competition section is designed to spotlight different cinematic voices:
- Red Sea: Competition is open to fiction, documentary, and animation feature-length films from Asia and Africa including the Arab world. It recognizes bold storytelling and innovative filmmaking.
- Red Sea: Shorts Competition welcomes short films under 60 minutes and prioritizes fresh perspectives and originality.
- New Saudi/New Cinema is a showcase for Saudi filmmakers, giving local talent a space to introduce their work to international audiences. It includes fiction, documentary, and animation across short and feature-length formats.
Eligibility requires films to be recent productions from 2024 or 2025 and to be premieres within the Middle East and North Africa. Submissions must be in their original language with English subtitles if not already in English.
The festival will once again be held in Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alongside screenings, the festival will feature talks, masterclasses, and the Red Sea Souk industry market aimed at facilitating co-production, distribution, and international partnerships.
To submit a film or learn more about eligibility and rules click here.
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