The fourth annual Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 5 December with a ceremony packed with international stars from all corners of the globe. Just a few of those seen on the red carpet included Aamir Kahn the Indian actor and filmmaker, British actresses Emily Blunt and Cynthia Erivo, Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chinese actress Michelle Yeoh, American actors Vin Diesel, Michael Douglas, Michelle Rodriguez and Will Smith, and jury president, filmmaker Spike Lee.

In fact, there were so many A-list celebrities that the opening night festivities were delayed by over 90 minutes waiting for all of them to weave their way through Jeddah’s bustling traffic. This year RSIFF returns to Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jeddah’s historic city centre. This was the site of the very first RSIFF in 2021. This time around RSIFF has its own purpose-built headquarters, constructed in the classic architectural-style of the Al-Balad district. The facility has at least six screening rooms, meeting areas, restaurants and is meant to be used year-round as a site for film-related events.

Commenting on the significance of returning RSIFF to Al-Balad after three years Jomana Al-Rashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Foundation said “We are inspired by the heritage and humbled by the history of Al-Balad. This is more than just a venue; it’s a transformative space where a new film culture is taking root.”

The ceremony itself was hosted by Lebanese-Australian actress Danielle Rahme and Saudi filmmaker Hakeem Jomah. Most attendees fit in to the massive auditorium in the Cultural Square venue, with overflow viewers watching from adjacent cinema auditoriums (and at times being shown the teleprompter rather than the ceremony itself).

Diesel, was in Jeddah to receive RSIFF’s Iconic Characters Award. He was brought on stage by his “Fast & Furious” co-star Rodriguez who spoke of their shared passion for diverse storytelling. “We’ve been creatively defending storytelling, defending people of color, and celebrating those who live outside the mainstream,” she said.

Diesel graciously accepted the award by first mentioning the star wattage in the room, “There might be more familiar faces here than at some awards shows back in America.” He also recounted how his career began by working as an extra in Spike Lee’s films. “When I saw Spike, I would try to run because if anyone sees you as an extra, you’ll always be an extra. I was doing extra work on his movies and hiding,” he laughed.

“I never knew that!” Lee shouted back from his seat in the audience.

Lee mentioned that it was his third time in Saudi Arabia, having first come to Jeddah to shoot “Malcolm X” in the 1990s. He seemed genuinely excited to be presiding as jury president saying, “When I got the call that they wanted me to be president of the jury, I didn’t take too long to answer. I said, ‘Hell yeah!’ ”

RSIFF made the unusual decision to introduce its competition jury during the ceremony, rather than ahead of the festival. Lee will be joined by Egyptian filmmaker Abu Bakr Shawky, Turkish actress Tuba Buyukustun, actress Minnie Driver, and actor Daniel Dae Kim.

Driver presented an honorary award to Egyptian actress Mona Zaki. Khan and Blunt were also in attendance as Red Sea Honourees. Introducing Blunt, Yeoh said she was “very moved; it’s such a pleasure to be here at this vibrant and incredibly dynamic film festival, and it just makes you realize we have so many stories to tell.”

The festival opening night film Karim Shenawy’s “The Tale of Daye’s Family,” an Egyptian-Saudi production that showcases regional collaboration. RSIFF Managing Director Shivani Pandya Malhotra emphasized the importance of such projects, stating “This film represents the possibilities of regional collaboration, with a cast from Sudan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.”

Running from December 5 to 14, the festival will screen 122 films from 85 countries, featuring 46 world premieres, 15 international premieres and six Saudi feature films. Al-Rashid is particularly proud of the fact that the 2024 RSIFF has programmed the work of 37 female filmmakers from 19 countries.