The Jury Includes Leading Filmmakers from Around the World The event aims to strengthen the market’s position as a premier platform for supporting cinematic projects in the Arab world.

The Red Sea International Film Festival announced the formation of the Project Market jury for its fifth edition, taking place from December 4 to 13, 2025, in a new initiative to support the film industry in the Arab world and highlight emerging talents.

A Diverse Jury with Global Expertise The jury brings together some of the most prominent filmmakers from around the world to evaluate participating projects and select the winners of the prestigious market awards. This year, 28 financial and professional awards will be presented, with a total value exceeding 2 million Saudi riyals.

Jury Members Include:

• Abdulrahman Khawaj: Executive producer and strategic advisor, Head of Distribution at Sela Studios since 2014.

• Elliot Khiat: Producer who oversaw several films and series, including Santosh 2024 and Hola Frieda 2024.

• Maisky Torresia: Producer and founder of Balari Films, known for Revenge Me, winner of the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Festival.

Jury for Works in Progress This panel includes directors who have participated in international film festivals:

• Mahdi Flifel: Palestinian director with over 30 international awards, including the Peace Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.

• Rungano Nyoni: Zambian-Welsh director and screenwriter, the first female director to win Best Director at the BAFTA Awards for two consecutive feature films.

• Paolo Bertolin: Artistic Director of the New Zealand International Film Festival and advisor at the Venice International Film Festival since 2008.

The jury also features other notable figures, including David Davoli, Hana Al-Omair, and Jehan Al-Tahiri, who have contributed to enhancing the presence of cinematic projects in the Middle East and globally.

Award Ceremony and Strengthening the Market The Project Market awards ceremony is scheduled for December 10, 2025, as part of the festival’s activities, honoring winning projects across all categories and providing filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work to top producers, investors, and decision-makers in the film industry.