The films participated within the Centrepiece, Docs, Discovery and Special Presentations programmes at TIFF.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which runs until September 15, 2023, has screened five films backed by the Red Sea Film Foundation, representing the creative talents of Saudi Arabia, the Arab World, and Africa.
Mandoob, directed by Ali Alkalthami, co-founder of Telvaz11 and renowned Saudi director and producer, is receiving significant attention at TIFF. This dark comedy unfolds the story of a delivery app driver in Riyadh who embarks on a series of illicit late-night adventures. Mandoob is a highlight of TIFF’s ‘Discovery’ programme. The film received development funding from the Red Sea Fund in 2021 and secured production funding in 2023.
Two other Red Sea Fund-backed films, Banel and Adama and Inshallah a Boy, are featured in TIFF’s prestigious Centrepiece programme.
Banel & Adama, directed by Ramata-Toulaye Sy, tells the story of two lovers striving for autonomy amidst traditional constraints in northern Senegal. This film has already made its mark in the industry, securing a Souk Fund Award and nominations for both the Palme d’Or and Caméra d’Or at Cannes.
The second film, Inshallah a Boy, directed by Amjad Al-Rasheed, revolves around a woman facing unexpected consequences following her husband’s sudden passing. This film received production funding from the Red Sea Fund and was honoured with the Rail d’Or du Long Métrage award at the Semaine de la Critique at Cannes.
Four Daughters, a blend of documentary and drama by Kaouther Ben Hania, graces the “Special Presentations” programme at TIFF. This film delves into the mysterious case of two vanished sisters in Tunisia. Four Daughters received production funding from the Red Sea Fund and was bestowed with the Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye Award) and François Chalais Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
In the “TIFF Docs” programme, audiences queued to experience Mother of All Lies, a thought-provoking documentary directed by Asmae el Moudir. This film, which received post-production funding from the Red Sea Fund, claimed the Best Director Award in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival and was named Best Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival. El Moudir weaves together personal narratives and national history, unearthing a complex web of lies from her family’s past while drawing parallels between contemporary Morocco and the 1981 Bread Riots.
Mohammed Al Turki, CEO of Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed panel and selection committee. The success of these five films serves as a testament of the extraordinary talents that we support at the Red Sea Film Foundation. We are happy that these films will have the opportunity to tell original stories from the Arab World and Africa to a wider global audience at the Toronto International Film Festival.”
The Red Sea Fund offers funding to films at all stages of development and production. These cycles of funding are designed to support original voices and new talent, particularly from Saudi Arabia, the Arab World and Africa.
