Red Sea Film Festival postponed to 2027

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The Red Sea Film Foundation announced the postponement of the sixth session of the Red Sea International Film Festival, which was scheduled to be held from December 3 to 12, 2026, to the fourth quarter of 2027.

The decision comes after a comprehensive review of a number of considerations related to the timing of the next session, including the logistical requirements for hosting an international event of this size, and in order to choose the appropriate timing and conditions to provide the experience for which the festival is known.

The decision reflects the Foundation’s keenness to continue developing the festival and build on what it achieved during its previous sessions, thus enhancing its presence and position on the map of international film festivals.

In addition, the sixth session will return in 2027 with a renewed vision and a program that continues to celebrate cinema and its makers from the Kingdom, the region and the world.

Throughout the year, the Foundation continues to fulfill its mission of supporting filmmakers and promoting the film industry, through its integrated system that includes the Red Sea Fund and the Red Sea Laboratories, in addition to its various programs and initiatives, thus enhancing its role as a global bridge linking talents and filmmakers with the international film industry.

The Foundation's year-round programs will be launched in Culture Square in Historic Jeddah starting November 2026, to be a continuous destination for film screenings, cultural events, and specialized programs in the cinema sector.

In parallel, the Culture Square offers an ongoing program of cinematic performances, cultural events, and specialized programs, expanding the institution’s presence and communication with the audience and the film community outside the festival period.

Regarding the films submitted for the session that was scheduled for this year, the Foundation explained that it had watched and evaluated all the films that met the conditions for submission for the 2026 session within the festival’s selection process.

In the same context, she indicated that filmmakers who have previously paid fees to submit their films will be able to recover them, provided that refund requests are processed within 90 days from the date of submitting the request, while the Foundation will communicate with applicants to provide them with details regarding the refund mechanism and the required steps. She confirmed that applications for membership in the 2026 session will not be completed.

The Foundation announced the opening of a new application window for the sixth session, and will publish all details related to eligibility conditions, dates, and application mechanism in due course.

She invited filmmakers to follow the festival’s official channels to find out when applications for the 2027 session will open.

The Foundation looks forward to welcoming back the global film community to historic Jeddah in 2027, during a sixth edition that celebrates cinema, creativity and cultural dialogue.

All confirmed information related to the sixth session of the Red Sea International Film Festival, including dates, film submissions, affiliations, the Red Sea Market and other festival programs, will be published through the official website of the Red Sea Film Foundation and its accounts on social media platforms.