Taking place from December 3 - 13, 2026, this year's edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) will once again take place in Jeddah's historic Al Balad district, and it will chart a new course for regional storytelling and global creative exchange.
The Kingdom's cultural momentum continues to surge, but the gaze of the global film industry is once again turning toward the cobblestone streets and coral-stone architecture of Al Balad. As the dates for the 2026 edition are officially set, the Red Sea International Film Festival reinforces its position not just as a festival, but as a critical cultural bridge between the Kingdom and the global stage.
The sixth edition, running from December 3 to December 12, arrives at a time when Saudi cinema is no longer just "emerging", it is competing. With the Red Sea Film Foundation recently announcing that three of its supported projects have been selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, the stakes for this December’s gathering in Jeddah have never been higher. This follows the recent film news that AlUla was officially shortlisted for the prestigious “City of Film” category at the 2026 Global Production Awards.
This year, the festival continues to champion its signature New Saudi, New Cinema category. More than just a screening program, this curated platform serves as a vital springboard for the Kingdom’s emerging filmmakers, providing a high-profile spotlight for the creative ingenuity and experimental perspectives currently flourishing within the local industry. By prioritising these fresh voices, the RSIFF ensures that the evolution of Saudi storytelling remains at the very heart of its global mission.
Looking Back at 2025 Edition
The 2025 edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival took place under the theme "For the Love of Cinema," and it was a soulful exploration of the medium’s emotional power, through more than 100 Arab and international films. Last year's edition moved beyond the technicalities of industry and focused on the visceral connection between the viewer and the screen. Both the 2024 and 2025 programs were characterised by categories such as "International Spectacular" and "Arab Spectacular", sectors of the film festivals which have featured high-profile titles like Angelina Jolie’s Couture and the Saudi-shot epic Desert Warrior. In particular, 2025 was a year that celebrated the resilience of the human spirit; with the top honour — the Yusr Award for Best Feature Film — going to Lost Land, a poignant narrative shot entirely in the Rohingya language.
Red Sea International Film Festival 2026,
From December 3 - 13, 2026, Al Balad, Riyadh
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