The Red Sea Film Festival launched its third session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the MBC Group, VOX Cinema, and NEOM, in the presence of film lovers and makers from all over the world. It started on November 30 and will continue till Saturday, December 9.
The festival opened its third session by showing the film Hawjan, directed by Yasser Al-Yasiri, in its world premiere, in the presence of the crew: Nour Al-Khadra, Baraa Alam, Nayef Al-Dhafiri, Al-Anoud Saud, Mohsen Mansour, and Shaima Al-Tayeb. In addition to the presence of the head of the festival’s jury, Baz Luhrmann, and committee members Joel Kinnaman, Freida Pinto, Amina Khalil, Paz Vega, Hanaa Al-Omair, and Fatih Akin.
The opening film of the Red Sea Film Festival
The events of the movie “Hawjan” revolve around the story of a curious genie who lives in the city of Jeddah. One day, he discovers the truth about his royal lineage. Thus, the journey of Hawjan “Innocence of a World” begins to regain his legal right while fighting the forces of evil to maintain the balance between his world and the world of humans. During his adventure, he meets the young medical student Sawsan “Nour Al Khadra”, and an unexpected romantic relationship develops between them.
The ceremony was opened by its presenters, Raya Abi Rashid and Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj, and the guests were welcomed by the President of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Jumana Al-Rashed, along with the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Mohammed Al-Turki. The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of three honorary awards, the first of which went to the distinguished Saudi actor Abdullah Al-Sadhan. It was awarded by the CEO of the festival, Muhammad Al-Turki, in addition to another honorary award to international actress Diane Kruger, presented to her by jury member Fatih Akin, and an award to Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, presented to him by icon Sharon Stone.
On this occasion, Jumana Al-Rashed, President of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “Over the next ten days, festival-goers will join us on a breathtaking cinematic journey, where we will screen 126 films from 77 countries and more than 47 languages, by talented directors, actors, producers and filmmakers from all over the world.” the world. At the Red Sea Film Foundation, we believe in the power of films to create change.”
Al-Rashed added: “The festival represents our commitment to empowering filmmakers by providing a platform to tell stories that will make a difference in the world.”
The Red Sea Film Festival in its third edition
In turn, the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Mohammed Al-Turki, commented: “The Red Sea Film Festival enters its third year with a film that shows the growing collaboration between the creative voices that make up Saudi cinema. And over the coming days; Our wonderful cinematic events with participation from all over the world, in addition to the Red Sea Market; The festival’s Film Industry Forum, and workshops led by experts in the film industry through dialogue sessions.” Al-Turki added: “We are happy to welcome once again all film lovers and makers to the city of Jeddah, and to see the echo of our slogan (Your Story, Your Festival) echoing across the horizons.”
The opening ceremony of the Red Sea International Film Festival was attended by many local, Arab and international filmmakers, and among the Saudi and Gulf stars and directors attending the festival were: Yaqoub Al-Farhan, Ali Al-Kalthami, Nayef Al-Dhafiri, Moayed Al-Thaqafi, Somaya Reda, Sarah Taibah, Hira Mahmoud, Fatima Al-Banawi, and Nayla. Al Khaja, Hakim Juma, Yasser Al Saqqaf, and Faisal Al Dokhi, in addition to Ayman Khoja and Majid Zuhair Samman.
Among the stars of the Arab world: director Yousry Nasrallah, Nabila Obaid, Lebleba, Laila Elwi, Amina Khalil, Yasmine Sabry, Dina El-Sherbiny, Sherine Reda, Hala Sidqi, Nadine Njeim, Qusay Khouli, Nicolas Moawad, Maggie Bou Ghosn, Daniela Rahma and others. .
Celebrities who attended The Red Sea Film Festival
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Among the elite international stars who attended were: Johnny Depp, Maywin, Zoe Saldaña, Will Smith, Michelle Williams, Kathryn Martin, Lucas Bravo, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ed Westwick, Amy Jackson, Rita Ora, Burak Ozcivit, Handa Erçil, and Korean actor Seung Ho. And others.
The Yusr Awards honor and celebrate boldness and innovation in film, and are the largest awards in the region given to emerging voices in the genres of feature films, documentaries and animated films. The Yusr Awards are also presented to emerging talents to highlight them in front of a truly international presence that includes the best international talents in the field of films. It also highlights films from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Asia and Africa, ensuring that the impact of the Red Sea International Film Festival extends widely throughout the region and beyond.
The Yusr Awards are presented by an international jury made up of renowned filmmakers and veteran pioneers in various fields of the film industry, such as screenwriting, acting and directing. Last year’s award recipients include Catherine Deneuve, Shah Rukh Khan, Jack Lang, and Guy Ritchie.
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