Red Sea Film Festival 2025: Jeddah Hosts Global Stars and Emerging Filmmakers
The Red Sea International Film Festival takes place each December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s historic Al Balad district. As of June 2025 Faisal Baltyuor serves as CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, the body that runs the festival. Globally, the festival sits alongside the industry‑leading events such as the Cannes Film Festival (France), the Venice International Film Festival (Italy), and the Berlin International Film Festival (Germany) as one of the major international film‑festival destinations.
Where Is It Held?
The Red Sea International Film Festival is held in Jeddah, on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, in the historic Al Balad district. The venue provides a blend of heritage architecture and modern screening facilities. First launched in 2019 (with a delayed inaugural edition due to the pandemic), the festival takes place each December (the 5th edition is scheduled from 4‑13 December 2025).
Who Is the CEO?
As of 1 June 2025, Faisal Baltyuor was officially appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Red Sea Film Foundation. The Foundation oversees the festival, a film fund, and year‑round talent development initiatives. He replaces earlier leadership and signals the Foundation’s next phase of growth and global ambition.
Faisal Baltyuor
Top 3 Film Festivals in the World
When it comes to prestige and global influence, the “Big Three” film festivals remain:
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Cannes Film Festival (France) – widely regarded as the most glamorous and high‑profile.
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Venice International Film Festival (Italy) – the oldest major film festival, with a rich history.
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Berlin International Film Festival (Germany) – a major European festival with broad international impact.
While Cannes, Venice and Berlin dominate, the Red Sea Festival is rapidly rising in stature, particularly within the Middle East and global markets.
Andrew Garfield and Shraddha Kapoor at Red Sea International Festival 2024
Who Attended the Red Sea Film Festival?
The 2024 edition of the festival featured a star‑studded lineup and a broad international presence. Celebrity attendees included Will Smith, Emily Blunt, Eva Longoria, Cynthia Erivo, and Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta‑Jones. The festival also featured major speakers and industry figures such as Spike Lee (jury president) and technical‑talent panels featuring global cinema leaders. redseafilmfest.com+1
Why the Festival Matters – A Strategic & Cultural Angle
The Red Sea International Film Festival is more than a glamorous red‑carpet event. It forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy under Vision 2030 to diversify its economy beyond oil, promote the creative industries, and position Jeddah as a cultural hub. AP News
From a financial and industry perspective:
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The festival acts as a catalyst for regional film production, training, and distribution, creating new revenue streams in the Saudi film sector.
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The global attendance by stars and studios places the event on the international circuit, attracting investment, licensing and co‑production opportunities.
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For filmmakers and brands, being selected or attending offers access to new markets, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, which are growing rapidly.
Legal and regulatory aspects also matter. Hosting a global festival in Saudi Arabia involves navigating cultural, media and rights frameworks, which can affect content, distribution and collaborations. “The festival marks a turning point in how the Middle East engages with global cinema,” says Fionnuala Halligan, Director of International Programmes at the Red Sea Foundation.
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra
What’s New for the 2025 Edition
The 5th edition in December 2025 promises to build on momentum. The opening film is the biopic Giant, about boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, reflecting the festival’s ambition to merge local story‑telling with global appeal. Meanwhile, the newly appointed CEO Faisal Baltyuor has emphasised strengthening talent programmes, international partnerships, and regional film‑industry infrastructure.
Key Takeaways for Executives and Media Stakeholders
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The Red Sea International Film Festival is fast gaining global status—executives should view it not just as a cultural event but as a strategic market entry point for the Middle East.
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Attending, screening or partnering with the festival offers access to emerging talent, new distribution networks and growing regional markets.
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For investors and brands, the festival signals the creative‑economy shift occurring in Saudi Arabia and the wider region—a chance to align with first‑mover opportunities.
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From a legal perspective, the evolving media landscape in Saudi Arabia requires awareness of regulatory change, rights frameworks and cultural parameters when engaging.
Conclusion
Held annually in Jeddah’s Al Balad district, the Red Sea International Film Festival is rapidly rising in prominence under the leadership of CEO Faisal Baltyuor. While the Cannes, Venice and Berlin festivals remain the marquee “Big Three,” the Red Sea event is now a major global cinema platform with strong industry, economic and cultural impact. As attendees from Will Smith to Emily Blunt walk the red carpet, the festival signals a new era for film investment, co‑production and storytelling in the Middle East and beyond.
