Cannes Market Dailies

 Cycle 1 of 2023 Fund Supports emerging and established

Saudi, Arab and African film talent

The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation today announced the recipients of the Red Sea Fund’s 2023 post-production funding cycle 1. Eight films by Saudi, Arab and African filmmakers will receive grants to help complete films that shine a light on important narratives and new talents emerging from the region.

The Red Sea Fund’s 2023 post-production cycle received 59 applications, which were reviewed and filtered down to a shortlist of 18 films. Of these 18 films, eight were selected: five scripted features and three documentaries.

“The Omen” directed by Baloji, is set to premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2023. This underpins the Red Sea Film Festival’s mission to advocate for filmmakers who are leading the way and inspiring a new generation of creatives.

Mohammed Al Turki, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “We are excited to be unveiling eight projects which will be bolstered by the Red Sea Fund’s post-production grant – which can be a vital step in helping filmmakers get their projects completed and ready for distribution and exhibition.”

The selected documentary projects are:

Anti-Cinema, Directed by Ali Saeed (Saudi Arabia)

Ressacs, A Taureg Story, Directed by Intagrist El Ansari (Mauritania, Mali)

Run for Life, Directed by Bachar Khattar (Lebanon)

The selected fictional feature projects are:

Dead Dog, Directed by Sarah Francis (Lebanon, France)

Holes, Directed by Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan (Saudi Arabia)

Red Path, Directed by Lotfi Achour (Tunisia, France)

Songs of Adam, Directed by Oday Rasheed (Iraq, Netherlands)

The Omen, Directed by Balogi (Belgium, France, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Netherlands, Cameroon)

About the Red Sea International Film Festival

Red Sea International Film Festival provides a platform for Arab filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world to connect, host feature and short film competitions, and present a series of events, masterclasses, and workshops to support emerging talent. Running alongside the Festival is the Red Sea Souk, the Festival’s industry market, designed for global exchange and partnerships between the international and Saudi film industries. The four-day market will offer a packed program of curated events to foster co-production, international distribution, and new business opportunities. The Souk offers unbeatable access to the new vibrant Saudi scene, as well as the best of the Arab market through pitching sessions, one-on-one meetings, screenings, industry talks, and networking events.

by Vanessa McMahon