The film festival welcomes applications from Arab, Asian and African filmmakers to compete for the Yusr Awards.
The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened submissions for its second edition, which will take place from December 1–10, 2022.
Filmmakers from Asia and Africa, including the Arab world, are invited to submit films until August 14, 2022.
Filmmakers from Arab, Asian and African filmmakers across the globe are welcome to submit their films to the Red Sea: Competition and Red Sea: Shorts Competition. Saudi filmmakers can also apply to screen as part of New Saudi/New Cinema. Submissions will be viewed and selected by the festival’s selection committee. The festival aims to promote cross-cultural exchange and foster the growth of the Arab film industry, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key contributor to the international film industry.
The second edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will bring together local film lovers, filmmakers, and international industry leaders. The event provides an essential platform to strengthen creative connections between Saudi and the world with a programme of the best in global cinema, classic and contemporary Arab film, alongside professional and industry strands.
Programme sections will showcase contemporary international and Arab cinema, Saudi features, shorts and experimental films, retrospectives, and future-oriented AR and VR experiences.
The films in competition will vie for the Yusr Awards, chosen by an international jury. The Red Sea Golden Yusr award for Best Film in the competition will be awarded $100,000. Cash prizes will also be awarded to Best Director ($30,000); the Red Sea Golden Yusr for Best Short Film ($25,000); and the Red Sea Silver Yusr for Short Film ($15,000); in addition to the Red Sea Silver Yusr Jury Prize ($20,000). Other prizes will be awarded for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Immersive, Cinematic Contribution and Red Sea: Competition Special Mention. There will also be cash prizes for the Audience Award and Best Saudi Film.
Featuring works from Asia and Africa, including the Arab world, the Red Sea: Competition values cinematic forms that push limits across fiction and documentary. Presenting cinematic work that pushes traditions, with innovative filmmaking and great storytelling by emerging and established voices, with generous prizes awarded by an international jury.
Featuring works of less than 60 minutes from Asia and Africa, including the Arab world, the Red Sea: Shorts Competition values cinematic works that offer fresh takes and new ideas that tell compelling diverse and innovative stories in the short film form.
In addition to the open categories, there are seven curated sections, including International Spectacular, Arab Spectacular, Red Sea: Festival Favorites, Red Sea: Immersive Future, Red Sea: Treasures, Red Sea: Families and Children, Red Sea: New Vision, and Red Sea: Episodic.
