The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has revealed a series of Arab-produced short films that will shown at the fourth edition of the film festival taking place in Jeddah, this December.
As part of the festival's Arab Shorts Competition, fifteen short films will be shown to the star-studded audience.
With creations from Arab film-makers from the Kingdom, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco and beyond, these fifteen short-form films will be brought to the silver screen during the fourth edition of RSIFF from December 5 to 14.
What is the Arab Shorts Competition?
The Arab Shorts Competition serves as a springboard for both aspiring and established filmmakers from the region and the Arab-speaking world, offering them a platform to gain international recognition and connect with industry professionals.
In addition to the RSIFF as a whole, this competition has been instrumental in elevating regional filmmaking talent, having screened more than 120 Arab and Saudi films between 2021 and 2023 alone.
This competition is an opportunity for small, local and regional film-makers to showcase their work to both a local and international audience on a large-scale platform. The films chosen for the Arab Shorts Competition pivot on strong and heartfelt themes such as immigration, family dilemmas and close, cultural stories, each film showcasing the rich and diverse Arab talent in the region.
Through the Arab Shorts Competition, the RSIFF supports and promotes new voices from the Arab world, nurturing a rich pool of talent and facilitating access to key stakeholders and growth opportunities.
Arab Shorts at Red Sea International Film Festival
Fragments of Life: Directed by Anis Ben Dali
In a secluded mountain village, orphan Slim, grapples with loneliness and a strained relationship with his reluctant caretaker, Marwan. When Marwan misplaces Slim's cherished puppet, a father figure to the boy, their conflict escalates into a quest for revenge.
In Three Layers of Darkness: Directed by Houcem Slouli
A story of struggle and immigration, this short film follows Ghassen, a young Tunisian man navigating the bureaucratic hurdles of obtaining a visa. This poignant tale explores themes of immigration and the relentless pursuit of freedom, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals seeking to move freely across borders.
The Signal: Directed by Nasser Alqattan
A young man's encounter with a group of strangers at a traffic light, turns him into an unwitting social media star. His refusal to engage in conversation leads to a police investigation, revealing a hidden story.
Zahra: Directed by Hadi Shatat
The story of a pregnant clothing factory worker, Zahra, who faces a desperate situation: the need to afford a C-section. A heart-wrenching situation that forces her to confront the harsh realities of her community.
African Family Dinner: Directed by Ibrahim Mursal
When Mona, a Norwegian blonde, meets her Ghanaian friend's family for dinner, a seemingly ordinary gathering takes an unexpected turn, leading to one of the most awkward introductions imaginable.
Shams: Directed by Adam Rayan
A young boy faces heartbreak of two fronts: his mother decides to sell his beloved camel to make ends meet, while he deal with the conflicting feelings of grief over his father's death.
Nemshi?: Directed by Assaf Al Rousan
Emad struggles with his emotions and feelings following his father's untimely death. This film follows Emad has he attempts to deal with intense grief and the impact it has had on his sense of self, his purpose and connection to life.
Mera, Mera, Mera: Directed by Khaled Zidan
In a Jeddawi neighbourhood facing demolition and destruction, a young man named Saeed loses his ability to speak, uttering only the word "Mera," which leads him to uncover a mysterious truth.
Saint Rose: Directed by Zayn Alexandre
A discontented housewife finds solace in unhealthy coping mechanisms, as her husband takes the lead in planning their daughter's engagement ceremony.
Malika: Directed by Maram Taibah
A rebellious Saudi girl embarks on a magical quest to retrieve her dying grandmother’s lost crown from mythical beasts. This quest ultimately leads her to discover her own inner strength and the true meaning of being a queen.
Children of Barzagh: Directed by Ahmed Khattab
An animated story place in war-torn Gaza. It is here that Noor finds and rescues a dog, leading her on a journey where the boundaries between life and death blur.
Chikha: Directed by Ayoub Layoussifi and Zahoua Raji
Teenager, Fatine, living in Azemmour, Morocco, faces a crossroads. Her mother, a renowned Aïta singer, encourages her to follow their family's artistic legacy. However, Fatine's potential suitor, dismissive of her heritage, presents a different path. Torn between tradition and personal desires, Fatine must make a difficult choice.
Land of God: Directed by Imad Benomar
Hassan is a civil servant, and Malika, a gendarme, alongside an intern, the duo are tasked with delivering coffins to two grieving families. However, when Hassan accidentally mixes up the bodies, he attempts to hide his mistake, setting off a chain of events that will test their resolve and morality
Fizr: Directed by Rani Nasr
Issam flees to the valley following a personal clash with the local mayor. In a secluded cabin, Issam wrestles with his anger, and as his good friend Raafat urges him to forgive and forget, he is forced to make a choice between loyalty and survival.
One Last Time: Directed by Karim Rahbani
Toufic, a lonely recluse in his 80s, faces a late-in-life crisis when a neighbour mistakenly visits him, reigniting his passion for life.
About the Red Sea International Film Festival
Brought to life by and in collaboration with the Red Sea Film Foundation, the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) will return for its fourth edition this December. The film festival is an internationally renowned celebration of film, bringing the best of local, regional and international cinema to Jeddah.
CEO of SRMG, Jomana Alrashid, also the Chairwoman of Red Sea Film has played a meaningful and substantial role in promoting the local and regional talent, and productions. Alrashid has also hosted several events on behalf of the Red Sea Film at Cannes Film Festival and Venice Film Festival, further pushing for the international recognition of filmmakers in the region and beyond.
Since its launch, the RSIFF has garnered significant recognition around the world, and has won numerous awards for best cultural and film events, and has also been pivotal in pushing Arab film and Arab produced creations onto the international stage, and in turn has hosted various internationally recognised films.
Find out more about this year's Red Sea Film Festival here
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