At TIFF, Red Sea Film Foundation highlights Arab cinema with panels and screenings.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) showcases this year a dynamic slate of films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation (Red Sea FF), an example for Arab cinematic talent.
Among the films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation highlights at the Toronto International Film Festival are To a Land Unknown and Front Row, featured in TIFF’s Centrepiece lineup, alongside Sudan, Remember Us in the documentary section.
To a Land Unknown, a narrative feature by Danish-Palestinian director Mahdi Fleifel, received its initial backing at the 2023 Red Sea Souk Project Market. The film portrays the harsh realities of forced migration through the experiences of two displaced cousins. Front Row, directed by Algerian filmmaker Merzak Allouache and supported by the Red Sea Fund during production, is a family dramedy that explores the comedic and tense confrontations over coveted beach spots.
In the documentary segment, Hind Meddeb’s Sudan, Remember Us examines the lives of five young Sudanese activists during the civil war, offering a raw look into their struggles and aspirations. This film, too, has been nurtured by the support of the Red Sea FF.
In addition to film screenings, the Red Sea FF is set to enrich the TIFF experience by hosting a panel on Monday, August 9, at 2 PM, titled Bridging Cinematic Cultures: Making Films with the Arab World. The panel, a collaboration with TIFF’s Conference Centre, will feature insightful discussions led by Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Sebastien Chesneau, founder of the Dubai-based film sales outfit Cercamon, filmmaker Hind Meddeb from Paris, and Fabrice Préel-Cléach, founder and producer at Offshore.
Shivani Pandya Malhotra highlighted the foundation’s pivotal role in promoting Arab and African filmmakers, stating, “Our supported films at TIFF this year depict the breadth of talent from across these regions, showcasing a spectrum of genres and themes. It’s an honor to provide support through our Souk program and Fund, as we continue to spotlight the work of both established and emerging talents.”
The third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival is eagerly anticipated to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 5 until December 14, 2024. It will feature a diverse array of events, including the Red Sea Souk, the festival’s industry market, which is designed to facilitate global exchanges and foster partnerships between the international and Saudi film industries. This four-day market will host pitching sessions, one-on-one meetings, screenings, industry talks and networking events aimed at promoting co-production, international distribution and new business opportunities.