Red Sea Film Festival announces Baz Luhrmann as jury head

A line-up of Saudi short films has also been unveiled.

Film enthusiasts, get ready to have your cinematic senses dazzled because the Red Sea International Film Festival is returning for its third edition this year. Baz Luhrmann of Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby-fame is stepping into the spotlight as the head of the Red Sea: Features Competition jury. A lineup of 19 Saudi shorts has also been announced for this year.

If you’re unfamiliar with Luhrmann’s work, this legendary filmmaker has not only made his mark in the world of movies but also ventured into opera, theatre, and music, showcasing his unparalleled storytelling skills. His latest hit, Elvis, made waves as the second-highest-grossing musical biopic ever. 

And now, he’ll be heading the jury at the Red Sea Film Festival’s Red Sea: Features Competition. This category is all about showcasing the finest works of filmmakers hailing from the Arab region, Asia, and Africa. Winning filmmakers will walk away with the coveted Yusr Award, the festival’s highest honour.

The Red Sea Film Festival is rolling out the red carpet for Saudi cinema with their New Saudi, New Cinema screening program. This initiative is all about celebrating the incredible strides made by the Saudi film industry in the last five years. The selected films are a testament to the Kingdom’s talent and its bright future, covering a wide range of subjects — from confronting extremism to navigating social change to triumphing over personal struggles. Some of these films include Antidote by Hassan Saeed, Detour by Dhafer Alshehry and Fish Bowl by Reema Almajed.

As the curtains rise on the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival from 3 November to 9 December in Jeddah, we can’t help but be excited about what’s in store. So mark your calendars and get ready to be swept away by the magic of the silver screen.

GO: Visit https://redseafilmfest.com for more information