The sixth Red Sea International Film Festival has been postponed until the fourth quarter of 2027.
The festival will return to Historic Jeddah, with new dates yet to be announced.
The Red Sea Film Foundation will continue its programmes and filmmaker initiatives throughout the year.
The Jeddah film festival will no longer take place in December 2026.
The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced that its sixth edition has been postponed until the fourth quarter of 2027.
The Saudi Arabian film festival had originally been scheduled to take place from 3 to 12 December 2026 at its headquarters in Historic Jeddah. However, the Red Sea Film Foundation confirmed the postponement on Instagram on Monday, 21 September 2026, after reviewing the timing and logistical requirements of staging an international event of its scale.
A specific date for the rescheduled festival has not yet been announced, although the sixth edition is now set to take place during the final three months of 2027. According to the Red Sea Film Foundation, the decision forms part of its plans to continue developing the festival while ensuring the next edition takes place under the right conditions.
While the main festival has been pushed back, the Red Sea Film Foundation will continue its work throughout the year. Its programmes include the Red Sea Fund, Red Sea Labs and several initiatives designed to support filmmakers and strengthen links between regional talent and the international film industry. The Foundation will also introduce year-round programming at Culture Square in Historic Jeddah from November 2026, including screenings, cultural events and industry-focused programmes.
The Red Sea International Film Festival has grown into one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent cultural events since launching in 2021. Its programme traditionally combines Saudi, Arab and international cinema, alongside competitions, short films, industry talks, workshops and the Red Sea Souk.
The fifth edition took place in Historic Jeddah from 4 to 13 December 2025. Its programme included films such as A Sad and Beautiful World by Cyril Aris, Hijra by Shahad Ameen, Unidentified by Haifaa Al Mansour and Palestine 36 by Annemarie Jacir. International titles included Alice Winocour’s Couture, Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet and Olivier Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin.
Over the years, the festival has also welcomed a long list of international stars to Jeddah, with previous guests including Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Shah Rukh Khan, Halle Berry and Viola Davis.
The delay means cinema fans will have longer to wait for the festival’s sixth edition, but the Red Sea Film Foundation has confirmed that it will return to Historic Jeddah in 2027 with a new programme celebrating filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the wider region and around the world.
Further details, including the new dates, are expected to be announced closer to the festival.
Contact: redseafilmfest.com