This new partnership aims to foster the next generation of film industry professionals and help strengthen international collaboration and ties with the film industry.
Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes has collaborated with Red Sea Labs and Red Sea International Film Festival for the inaugural edition of the Cannes Makers programme, running from May 22 to 24, 2023 in Cannes.
This new three-day programme will host a new generation of professionals and provide them with personalised coaching, networking opportunities and professional skills development with a special focus on the international sales process.
Eight participants were selected from more than 250 applications from 65 countries, including Greece, Germany, Nepal, France, Ukraine and Morocco.
In partnership with the Red Sea Labs and the Red Sea Film International Film Festival, three additional participants from Saudi Arabia will be integrated into the programme: Raghad Bajbaa and Shahd Abonamai from Saudi Arabia and Marwan Elshafie, a Saudi resident from Egypt. These filmmakers were selected by Red Sea Labs, a platform established by the Red Sea Film Foundation to provide comprehensive support to filmmakers in realizing their creative vision and bringing their projects to life from inception to production.
Following Cannes, all 11 participants will reunite for a second session of Cannes Makers as part of the Red Sea Labs programme to be held at the Red Sea Film International Film Festival in December 2023. This programme extension in Jeddah will continue to focus on international sales, but with a special emphasis on the Middle East.
Commenting on the partnership, Mohammed Al Turki, CEO of Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Marché du Film, one of the largest and most respected film markets in the world. The Cannes Makers programme supports the Red Sea’s objectives to support, promote and celebrate a new generation of storytellers and further strengthen our ties within the industry as we rapidly evolve. I’m proud to see filmmakers from Saudi Arabia included in the selection, this is the perfect platform for them to develop and collaborate with filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world.
Three young professionals from Saudi Arabia will join Cannes Makers which includes Shahad Abonomai, Raghad Bajbaa, Marwan Elshafie, and Mamoun Scally from Morocco.
