Revamped Programming Team Keeps the Focus on Filmmaking with ‘The Stories’ and ‘Noor’ Among Highlights at Red Sea

The upcoming fifth edition of the Red Sea Film Festival, scheduled from December 4-13, ushers in new leadership for its international programs, with Fionnuala Halligan taking the helm. The experienced journalist and curator joins the Saudi festival during a phase of growth, now firmly rooted at Jeddahs Culture Square and aiming to offer cinematic programming year-round.

Reflecting on her initial months, Halligan described the experience as fast and intense, noting the immediate need to assemble a team and innovate within the festival's existing framework. Her approach has been about introducing fresh ideas while leveraging the festival's established structure.

New Programming Team and Highlights

Halligan has recruited a completely new programming team, including:

• Mike Goodridge, former Macao Film Festival collaborator and CEO of Good Chaos
• Giovanna Fulvi, Toronto-based film curator
• Deepti DCunha, former artistic director of MAMI Mumbai Film Festival
• Ahmed Al-Ayyad, journalist
• Alex Moussa Sawadogo, African cinema specialist
• Alice Kharoubi, returning member of the Souk team

Standout selections for this year include Venice-featured films Hijra and Roqia, Lebanons Oscar contender A Sad and Beautiful World, and acclaimed Palestinian titles such as Palestine 36 and All Thats Left of You. International highlights include The Secret Agent, Sirt, and The Voice of Hind Rajab. The festival will also host world premieres of The Stories and Noor.

Collaboration and Expanded Scope

Halligan partnered with Antoine Khalife, director of Arab programs, to create a cohesive festival experience. For the first time, the competition section welcomes films from Asia, reflecting Halligans expertise, alongside entries from Arab nations and Africa. Halligan emphasized their shared goals of audience engagement, inclusivity, and support for emerging filmmakers.

Khalife praised the Arab selection as one of the strongest to date, featuring works like Yunan by Ameer Fakher Eldin and Saudi director Shahad Ameens Hijra. He acknowledged the challenges of programming amid regional conflicts, noting how films often explore urgent social and political issues while maintaining high artistic standards. Examples include Algerias Roqia, originally intended as a horror film but reflecting historical political struggles.

Adapting to Local Cultural Context

The festival has a history of screening uncut international films, including those with nudity and sexual content. This year, select films, such as Kleber Mendona Filhos The Secret Agent, have minor edits to respect local cultural sensitivities, with modifications made in consultation with directors. Red Sea representatives stressed that such changes are rare and not a general requirement.

Halligan highlighted the growing enthusiasm for Saudi cinema, with audiences increasingly eager to see local culture reflected on the big screen. She described the festival as a pivotal platform for connecting the region with global cinema and fostering pride in Saudi filmmaking achievements.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, Halligan and Khalife are focused on sustaining audience interest beyond the festivals ten-day run. Plans include year-round programming at Culture Square to establish Jeddah as a cinema hub. Khalife emphasized that cultivating a dedicated local audience is essential to the festivals longevity and success.

Both leaders aim to expand the festivals reach internationally while ensuring that films continue to resonate with diverse audiences in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Author: Sophia Brooks