The Red Sea International Film Festival returns with a lively program that upscales the region’s film scene. One of its highlights is the 'In Conversation' series.
A variety of intimate conversation sessions allow audiences to hear insights directly from the creators.
This year’s lineup includes Oscar winners, regional talents, visionary directors, and Arab stars, presenting a wide range of global storytelling. These sessions take place in the Red Sea Souk Forum Rooms and Culture Square Cinemas, providing a rare opportunity to listen, learn, and experience cinema through the voices shaping it today.
Hollywood Icons and Global Headliners
Kirsten Dunst
December 4, from 12.45pm – 1.45pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
An Academy Award-nominated actress with over 40 screen credits, Dunst has influenced multiple generations of cinema. Her roles range from Interview with the Vampire to Bring It On. She is evolving artistically with upcoming roles in A24’s The Entertainment System Is Down.
Queen Latifah
December 4, from 11am – midday
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
A pioneer in music, TV, and film, Queen Latifah has won Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, and NAACP awards. Her work includes Chicago, Girls Trip, Living Single, and her hit series The Equalizer. As a multi-talented figure, she remains a strong influence in American entertainment.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
December 4, from 2.30 - 3.30pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
One of India’s most celebrated global icons, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has built a defining international career across film, culture, and humanitarian work. From Devdas to Jodhaa Akbar, she has delivered landmark performances, served on the Cannes jury, and become a long-standing ambassador for India on the world stage.
Nina Dobrev
December 4, from 4.15pm - 5.15pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Best known for her key role in The Vampire Diaries, Dobrev has built a career across comedy, drama, and action. Her growing list of projects highlights her transition into influential creative roles.
Dakota Johnson
December 5, from 4.45pm - 4.45pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Johnson continues to broaden her skills. Her work ranges from Fifty Shades to Cha Cha Real Smooth, along with praised appearances at TIFF. Off-screen, she actively supports mental health and gender equality, serving as a global ambassador for Valentino and Roberto Coin.
Ana de Armas
December 5, from 6.30pm - 7.15pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Oscar-nominated for Blonde, Ana de Armas has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents. From Knives Out to No Time to Die and the upcoming Ballerina, her range extends across global blockbusters and prestige cinema, cementing her place as a defining star of her generation.
Jessica Alba
December 5, from 3pm - 4pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Nominated for a Golden Globe and a successful entrepreneur, Alba has led major productions in different genres. Her new venture, Lady Metalmark Entertainment, focuses on bold female-driven storytelling. This effort will be reflected in her upcoming film and TV projects.
Adrien Brody
December 6, from 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1 (sold out)
As the youngest Best Actor Oscar winner, Brody’s work includes The Pianist, Succession, Blonde, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and his acclaimed role in The Brutalist. An actor, producer, and visual artist, Brody stands out as one of the most unique voices in contemporary cinema.
Stanley Tong
December 6, from 8 - 9pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
The well-known Hong Kong filmmaker famous for Jackie Chan’s best action films, such as Police Story, Rumble in the Bronx, and The Myth, joins the festival to discuss his career bridging Eastern and Western cinema.
Sean Baker
December 7, from 8 - 9pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
The Oscar-winning director of Anora, which won five major Academy Awards, Baker is noted for storytelling that addresses social issues through films like Tangerine and The Florida Project along with his fresh filmmaking style.
Sigourney Weaver
December 10, from 2 - 3pm
Culture Square, Cinema 1
A three-time Academy Award nominee, Weaver is one of Sci-Fi’s most influential figures. Her legacy, spanning from Alien to Avatar, has shaped generations. With recent honours like the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, she continues to expand her influence across film, theatre, and humanitarian efforts.
Arab Talent and Regional Powerhouses
Ali Alkalthami
December 5, from 5.45 - 6.45pm
Culture Square, Cinema 3
A pioneering Saudi director and co-founder of Telfaz11, Ali Alkalthami has shaped the voice of modern Saudi cinema through works like Al Khallat and Mandoob. His grounded, darkly comic style has elevated emerging storytellers and positioned Saudi narratives globally.
Mila Al Zahrani
December 7, from 12.30 - 1.30pm
Culture Square, Cinema 3
One of Saudi Arabia’s rising stars, Al Zahrani has received international praise for her roles in The Perfect Candidate and Hobal. Her career focuses on socially relevant stories and the development of Saudi cinema.
Yacoub Al Farhan
December 7, from 2 - 3pm,
Culture Square, Cinema 1
One of Saudi Arabia’s most respected actors, Al Farhan has built a career that includes theatre, popular TV series like Rashash, and internationally recognised films like Norah.
Mai Omar
December 7, from 3pm - 4pm
Culture Square, Cinema 4
Egyptian actress Mai Omar has gained recognition for her performances in TV and film, bringing depth to contemporary Arab storytelling.
Lebleba
December 8, from 2 - 3pm
Culture Square, Cinema 1
A legendary Egyptian actress and entertainer, her career has sped from childhood fame to celebrated dramatic performances, including her iconic role in Laila Sakhina.
Amir El-Masry
December 8, from 3.15 - 4.15pm
Culture Square, Auditorium
The Egyptian-British actor has earned international acclaim with roles in Limbo, The Crown, and Club Zero. El-Masry’s rising career spans Cannes premieres, BAFTA wins, and major Middle Eastern productions, establishing him as one of the region’s most versatile contemporary actors.
Kartik Aaryan
December 8, from 5.30pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Kartik Aaryan, one of India's most dynamic young superstars, is participating in the Red Sea International Film Festival's prestigious "In Conversation" programme, sharing insights into his swift rise in Bollywood and his globally recognised work.
Nicholas Hoult
December 8, from 8.30pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Shooting to fame as a pre-teen in About A Boy with Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult is now an established and versatile British actor recognised in his own right, specifically for his roles in both independent and blockbuster films, recently earning critical praise for his complex, comedic performances in The Favourite and the television series The Great.
Darren Aronofsky
December 9, from 2pm
Culture Square, Auditorium
Darren Aronofsky is an American filmmaker known for his psychologically intense, often surreal, award winning films — such as Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, and The Whale — which are distinguished by their stylistic audacity and exploration of human obsession and the pursuit of perfection.
Riz Ahmed
December 9, from 8pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Riz Ahmed is a versatile British-Pakistani actor, rapper (known as Riz MC), and activist who has achieved critical acclaim, including an Oscar for the short film The Long Goodbye and an Emmy for his leading role in the HBO series The Night Of.
Kaouther Ben Hania
December 10, from 3pm - 4pm,
Culture Square, Auditorium
The Oscar-nominated Tunisian filmmaker behind The Man Who Sold His Skin returns with many works shown at Cannes, Venice, Locarno, and the Academy Awards.
Sir Anthony Hopkins
December 10, from 4.45pm
Culture Square, Auditorium
Sir Anthony Hopkins is confirmed to lead a prestigious "In Conversation" session, offering audiences rare insight into his six-decade-long career. As an Oscar-winning icon renowned for his profound and versatile performances, his participation significantly elevates the festival's global profile. The session will allow film lovers to hear firsthand accounts of his creative journey, from his early theatre work to his most recent, critically acclaimed films.
Idris Elba
December 10, from 7pm
Culture Square, Auditorium
Highlighting his career as a versatile actor, producer, filmmaker and music legend, Idris Elba will participate in the 'In Conversation' series ahead of the first screening of his new short film, Dust To Dreams, on the same evening.
Edgar Ramirez
December 11, from 1.30pm
Red Sea Souk, Forum Room 1
Edgar Ramírez is an internationally acclaimed Venezuelan actor known for powerful, transformative roles in films such as Carlos, which earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
One to Watch - Special Screening
Idris Elba’s Dust to Dreams will screen at the festival ahead of a surprise In Conversation session. The film follows a mother, her shy yet gifted daughter, and the sudden return of a long-absent father, exploring legacy, reconciliation, and the healing power of music.
The screening takes place on December 10, from 7:00 PM to 8:20 PM at Culture Square Auditorium.
Another key highlight is Women in Motion, featuring Juliette Binoche, Cherien Dabis, and Shahad Ameen in a conversation about storytelling, representation, and why women’s voices remain essential in cinema today. Moderated by Finn Halligan, the talk runs on December 6, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Culture Square Cinema 1.
All tickets are priced at SAR 120.
Secure your spot here.
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