The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in Jeddah ended on a high note, celebrating a diverse selection of films, global icons, and groundbreaking initiatives. The event showcased 122 films from 85 countries, creating a transformative platform for global cinema and honoring icons Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival’s grand finale featured the awards ceremony and a gala screening of Johnny Depp’s directorial Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, a captivating Red Sea Film Financing project.
Celebrating global icons and the spirit of cinema
Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, both honorees at this year’s festival, received their accolades in a star-studded ceremony. Davis’s award was presented by filmmaker Hanaa Alomair, while Chopra Jonas received hers from actress Sarah Jessica Parker. The two joined a distinguished list of 2024 Red Sea Honorees, including Emily Blunt, Mona Zaki, Vin Diesel, Aamir Khan, and Dev Patel, alongside notable guests like Nick Jonas, Ameer Karara, Eiza González, and Meshal Al Jaser.
The festival also highlighted global cinematic achievements by showcasing films from emerging voices and established filmmakers alike. The overarching theme of Home united 16 feature films in competition, alongside 48 films across diverse categories, including New Saudi Cinema, New Cinema, Arab Shorts, and International Shorts.
Awards and honorees
The Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film went to Red Path, directed by Lotfi Achour, a moving exploration of a child’s wounded psyche in a war zone. The film debuted earlier at the Locarno Festival in Switzerland, demonstrating the growing influence of Tunisian cinema.
Full list of awards
Asharq Documentary Award for Best Documentary in Competition ($10,000): State of Silence – Directed by Santiago Mazar
Chopard Rising Talent Trophy: Roula Dakheellahah
Film AlUla Audience Award: Little Jaffna – Directed by Lawrence Valin
Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Award ($50,000): Hobal – Directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahei
Shorts Competition:
Silver Yusr for Best Short Film ($12,500): Alazar – Directed by Baiza Hailu Lemma
Golden Yusr for Best Short Film ($25,000): Hatch – Directed by Alireza Kazemipour and Panta Mosleh
Features
Best Cinematic Contribution: To Kill a Mongolian Horse – Directed by Tao Qiu
Best Actor: Mahmoud Bakri – To a Land Unknown
Best Actress: Mariam Sherif – Snow White
Best Screenplay ($10,000): Songs of Adam – Written by Oday Rasheed
Best Director ($10,000): Lotfi Achour – Red Path
Jury Prize ($10,000): Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo – Directed by Khaled Mansour
Silver Yusr for Best Feature Film ($30,000): To a Land Unknown – Directed by Mahdi Fleifel
Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film ($100,000): Red Path – Directed by Lotfi Achour
Festival highlights and achievements
Johnny Depp’s Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, set in WWI Paris, tells the story of Italian artist Modigliani navigating chaos to find a home for his art. This year’s festival welcomed over 6,700 accredited guests and sold more than 30,000 tickets, marking its biggest edition yet.
Jomana Al-Rashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, remarked, “We are honored to have welcomed the world to The New Home of Film here in Jeddah, hosted for the first time in our iconic new home in Al Balad. Over the past eight days, we have celebrated the transformative power of cinema and championed diverse narratives from across the globe.”
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of RSIFF, highlighted the festival’s commitment to premieres, noting that half of this year’s films were either world or international debuts. “This festival continues to establish itself as The New Home of Film,” she said. “With 46 world premieres, 15 international premieres, and 53 MENA premieres, the festival provides a global stage for groundbreaking stories.”
CEO Mohammed Asseri added, “This year’s festival has laid the foundation for new partnerships and initiatives that will support emerging voices in new regions, the impact of which will be seen in future editions.”
Looking ahead
The 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival has not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also fostered global collaborations, making significant strides in solidifying its role as a global hub for film. With its transformative vision, RSIFF continues to create a brighter future for cinema, both regionally and internationally.
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