Red Sea International Film Festival Unveils Short Film Competition Lineup

📷SPA

Jeddah, October 16 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced the lineup of international short films competing in the Red Sea Shorts Competition, part of its fifth edition to be held in Historic Jeddah Al-Balad from December 4 to 13, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The competition includes 11 international short films from Asia and Africa, featuring works from South Africa, Malaysia, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kyrgyzstan, Chad, India, Georgia, Kenya, and, for the first time, Myanmar.

The selected films explore diverse themes including emigration, mental health, alienation, and historical reflection, offering a broad perspective on human experiences through dramatic, documentary, and experimental forms that highlight the diversity of global cinema.

This year’s edition records significant female participation, with eight female directors competing — the highest number in the festival’s history. The program also includes five world premieres, all vying for the Yusr Awards, which will be presented at the closing ceremony honoring excellence in filmmaking.

The international short film category attracted more than 840 submissions from Asia and Africa, marking a substantial rise in entries, particularly from East and Southeast Asia, after submissions opened to those regions last year.

The growing diversity of participation reinforces the festival’s role as a global platform connecting filmmakers and creators from different cultures and showcasing emerging cinematic voices that reflect the depth of human experience through innovative artistic expression.