Filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa and Asia can apply through the website before the April 21 deadline.
The Red Sea Fund, an initiative by the Red Sea Film Foundation, has opened submissions for its second 2025 cycle, inviting filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa and Asia to apply for production support before the April 21, 2025 deadline.
Aimed at championing emerging and established cinematic voices from underrepresented regions, the Fund provides financial backing to projects ready to enter the production stage. This cycle offers grants for feature-length films (60 minutes or more), including fiction, documentary or animation, from directors of Arab, African or Asian nationalities or origins.
In addition to feature films, the Fund is accepting applications for episodic projects — ranging from 25 to 59 minutes per episode — and short-form content.
The Red Sea Fund has outlined a comprehensive set of eligibility and submission criteria for its upcoming funding cycle. All directors must be of Arab nationality or origin, or hold African or Asian nationality. For feature and episodic projects, applicants must provide the production company’s profile, official registration documents and the passport of an authorised signatory, along with a legal document confirming the individual’s authority to sign on the company’s behalf should the project be selected.
Submissions must include a range of documents in English, with the exception of scripts for Saudi projects, which may be submitted in Arabic. Mandatory materials include a logline (30–80 words), a synopsis (300–500 words), a chain of title, an English script for non-documentary projects, and a writer’s treatment for feature and episodic documentaries. Fiction and animation projects must include both an English script and writer’s treatment, while episodic fiction requires a pilot episode script and treatment. Additional required materials include a director’s statement and a motivational video with English subtitles, links to previous works, a copy of the director’s passport, a producer’s note, biographies of the director(s) and producer(s), a mood board, concept art for animation projects, and a potential cast and crew list with biographies.
Applicants must also submit a detailed budget in USD covering development, production and post-production phases, as well as a financial plan outlining other funding received or requested, including in-cash and in-kind contributions. A breakdown of how the Red Sea Fund grant would be used during production is required, along with a project timeline and expected completion date. A distribution plan and strategy must also be provided. For selected projects, the production company’s profile, registration documents, and the passport and legal authorisation of its representative will be required to finalize the Red Sea Fund Agreement.
Launched in 2021, the Red Sea Fund has supported over 280 projects to date, playing a pivotal role in bringing culturally diverse stories to the international stage. Many of its previously supported films have gone on to receive critical acclaim and festival recognition worldwide.
