The 2023 edition of Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia returned with its most star-studded guest list yet.
Following on from the success of the second edition in 2022, this year’s edition promises to shine a light on films from Saudi Arabia the Arab World and Africa, with a lineup of regional films set to debut. To raise awareness the festival also attracted several international film stars, directors and industry professionals, keen to get a glimpse into the growing industry in the region.
A series of talks and discussions were hosted including an “in conversation” presentation with Will Smith who discussed his journey in the industry, the challenges and successes.
Chris Hemsworth took part in an exclusive session hosted by visionary film director Baz Luhrmann, deep-diving into Hemsworth’s diverse career and sharing behind-the-scenes stories and experiences.
Gwyneth Paltrow was also in town to host her own session. The actress and founder of Goop shared stories from her own experiences in the industry and the transition from actress to successful businesswoman. Other celebrities in attendance included actors Johnny Depp, Sophia Vegara, Michelle Williams, Alia Bhatt, Ed Westwick, Freida Pinto, Sharon Stone and many more.
Ahead of the event Mohammed Al Turki; CEO of the RedSeaIFF said of the previous edition: “Our second edition was a huge success and signified that The Red Sea International Film Festival is evolving into a global event that we are very proud of and grateful to everyone who supported us.” He added; “we are still navigating our way being a young Festival and film industry but have been delighted with the feedback from the local community, regional and international guests. We were honoured to welcome some of the leading voices in Hollywood, Bollywood, South Korea, Africa and Arab cinema, sharing their journeys to the big screen with a new generation of Saudi creatives who are capturing the attention of the global film industry. Throughout the year, we will continue to support emerging filmmakers, welcome productions to shoot against our extraordinary landscapes and plan for our third edition as we continue to make our mark on the Festival circuit.”
The festival provides a platform for Arab filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world to connect, and its growing popularity is helping to raise awareness of the talent in the region. The Red Sea Souk, the Festival’s industry market runs alongside the main event, designed for global exchange and partnerships between the international and Saudi film industries. The four-day market offers a program of curated events to foster co-production, international distribution, and new business opportunities. The Souk offers unbeatable access to the new vibrant Saudi scene, as well as the best of the Arab market through pitching sessions, one-on-one meetings, screenings, industry talks, and networking events.
