RedSeaIFF aka Red Sea International Film Festival is on board and happening between December 1st to 10th 2022 in Jeddah, on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. On 17th October they announced the first slate of films in the section of New Cinema/New Saudi for its second edition. There is a spectacular lineup that features 11 world premieres and also 5 international premieres.
With the inaugural edition being a massive HIT, filmmakers, talent, media, and the audience are welcomed with open arms for a 10-day celebration of about 120 best films from around the world along with a program of industry and public events.
The program manager of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RedSeaIFF,) Mohyee Qari said: “Last year, the Festival was applauded for showcasing a wealth of captivating shorts from new voices. I’m thrilled to announce the second edition’s line-up of Saudi filmmakers is once again a showcase of the countries’ talent who are taking creative risks and forging new pathways. Each film is so different but interesting characters and compelling storytelling are the common denominators across the selection. The film industry continues to accelerate at a considerable pace and the filmmakers in this section truly represent the future of filmmaking in the Kingdom.”
This year’s amazing lineup at the Red Sea International Film Festival includes…
Last Chance to Fall in Love directed by Faisal Buhisi. This story is a touching, saddening story of an old man who can finally get reunited with his first love after 50 years. Now come on, better carry some tissues 🤧.
Via @redseafilm on Instagram
Casting directed by Ali Basaeed is a story of the frustration of a man because of interference from people in his personal life. He tries his best to distance himself from them but it only increases his struggles.
Via @redseafilm on Instagram
Requiem for Silence by Majed Z. Sammam who is a filmmaker, producer, and actor. Through this story, he explores the struggle he has with an unwanted malicious entity who unannounced comes into his life, and the acceptance of their coexistence.
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YALLAH, YALLAH, BEENAH! by Mohammed Hammad. Expect to be transported down the rabbit hole where a gang of pre-teens are sent on a mission to save humanity, all I repeat ALL when under the influence of a spell cast by a coven of witches.
Via @redseafilm on Instagram
Old Phone Number, directed by Ali Saeed. Hamed (Yacoub Al Farhan) the lead is in a mid-life crisis which causes him to travel to Mecca to seek forgiveness hoping to change his life. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a smooth journey, during his road trip something happens that makes him return to meet someone from his past.
Via @redseafilm on Instagram
Forgive Me, directed by Jubril Mohammad, is a narrative of the most important day of a bride’s life. She is left alone by the groom on her wedding night. Do you think she is devastated and crying in her room? No, she goes on a hunt to track him and get the answers she deserves.
Via @redseafilm on Instagram
Othman, by Khaled Zidan, is the tale of a government hospital security guard, who lives with his cousin Fahd. A twist of events happens that shakes Othman and forces him to face the reality.
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Forward by Fahad Alotaibi is a story that revolves around an underground hacker who gets a call from the FUTURE that warns him about something serious that is coming his way. Looks like we will be on the edge of our seats for this one.
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Tea Leaf directed by Mohammed Baqer is a story of regret and pain during a separation. The husband sips on his tea as he is painfully re-living the love and struggles he experienced with his ex-wife.
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A Swing directed by Raneem and Dana Almohandis is a tale of Leen a ten-year-old girl, who goes trekking through the woods looking for a magical swing that was told to her as stories by her military father who promises to take her one day.
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When Red Blooms by Tala Alharbi, winner of the festival’s 48-hour Filmmaking Challenge, dives into the mind of a girl who sets up unrealistic high expectations her herself which as we know leads to self-destruction and perfectionism.
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The Child in his Closet, directed by Khaled Zidan who is also a winner of the 48-hour Filmmaking Challenge, explores the theme of childhood memories, how we interpret our experiences, and how they make us feel.
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Kabreet is directed by Salma Murad. The story is of Osama, a young man who is in a battle between his emotions and memory as he tries to find answers. He is trying to awaken a part of him that gives him a reason but his reasoning is brutal maybe even abusive.
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Memories from the North by Abdulmohsen Almutairi is a documentary about the Gulf War’s 30th anniversary. The documentary follows a crew of filmmakers who had witnessed this event in their childhood and set a journey across Saudi Arabia to get stories from people who have lived through the war.
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Lucky You’re Mine by Noura Abushosha is a Saudi marriage story of Ahmad and Salma. Salma after a few days before the wedding has a bipolar maniac episode following the death of her mother. Ahmad is determined to stand by his wife but they face crossroads and are unable to talk. Will they solve this problem? will have to watch and find out!
Via @redseafilm on Instagram
Zabarjad directed by Hussain Al-Mutlaq and tells the story of Yehya who returns to his village after he drops out of college. A visit from his father’s old friend turns Yehya’s life completely upside down forcing him to leave the village.
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Red Sea International Film Festival’s second edition will happen in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 1st-10th 2022.
To know more about the Red Sea International Film Festival follow their Instagram account @redseafilm or check out their website www.redseafilmfest.com/en/.