Sean Baker to Preside Over Fifth Red Sea Film Festival, Opening with 'Giant'

The fifth anniversary edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) is scheduled to take place in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district from December 4th through the 13th, 2025. Established in 2019, this major cultural event is an integral component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy. The festival has quickly positioned itself as a vital cultural bridge connecting Eastern and Western cinematic traditions. Its growing prominence was evident in the previous year’s edition, which successfully welcomed over 40,000 attendees and hosted 7,000 accredited industry guests.

The opening night ceremony will feature the screening of the biographical sports drama, 'Giant.' Directed by Rowan Athale, the film chronicles the remarkable life of Prince Naseem Hamed, the featherweight boxing champion of Yemeni descent. Hamed achieved global acclaim while simultaneously battling widespread racism and prejudice. Amir El-Masry stars in the lead role as Hamed, with Pierce Brosnan portraying his trainer, Brendan Ingle. Faisal BaltiYour, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, lauded Hamed’s story, describing it as a “journey of perseverance that inspires generations and reflects pride in one’s identity.”

This year’s festival jury will be chaired by acclaimed director Sean Baker. Baker, renowned for his independent films focusing on marginalized communities, recently made headlines in 2025 by securing four Academy Awards for his film 'Anora,' winning in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. During his acceptance speech for directing, Baker made a passionate plea for the survival of movie theaters, noting that cinemas, particularly those independently owned, are currently struggling to stay afloat.

Overseeing the festival’s programming is the new Director of International Programs, Fionnuala Halligan. She is expanding the festival’s scope to place a greater emphasis on Asian cinema, complementing its existing focus on Arab and African films. This strategic direction aligns perfectly with the mission of the Red Sea Film Foundation, which, since its inception in 2021, has provided backing to more than 280 projects spanning Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The main competitive section, 'Red Sea: Competition,' will showcase 16 features, with a deliberate emphasis placed on regional filmmakers, limiting the inclusion of European and Latin American entries.

Among the international selections making their mark are the Lebanese entry 'A Sad and Beautiful World' by Cyril Aris, alongside several significant Palestinian productions. The festival continues to navigate the unique cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia, even as it maintains its stated commitment to a policy of “zero censorship.” The 'International Showcase' section is set to present notable works, including Mamoru Hosoda’s 'The Boy and the Heron' (referred to as 'Scarlet' in some contexts) and Olivier Assayas’ 'Suspended Time' (referred to as 'The Magician of the Kremlin').

Furthermore, the Red Sea Souk, the industry marketplace component of the event, is set to host 40 projects in its Pitching Market. This robust market activity further solidifies Jeddah’s growing reputation as a central hub for the film industry across the wider region, fostering new collaborations and investments in filmmaking talent.