The Red Sea International Film Festival announced today that Film AlUla will return as an official sponsor, championing two of the festival’s key awards.

The Film AlUla Audience Award, which will be decided by public votes, as well as the Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Award, aimed at recognising and rewarding exceptional Saudi filmmakers. This initiative underscores Film AlUla’s role as a premier filming destination and a creative talent incubator.

The Best Saudi Film Award celebrates the exceptional creative talent in Saudi cinema, recognizing filmmakers for their originality, cultural depth, and innovative storytelling – highlighting productions that authentically reflect Saudi identity and heritage while fostering connections between local filmmakers and the global film industry. Meanwhile, the Audience Award encourages cinephiles and critics to engage deeply with cinema, enhancing their appreciation for beauty and creativity through the art of filmmaking. Both awards aim to raise the bar for artistic excellence while fostering a deeper connection between filmmakers and their audiences.

Winners of both the Film AlUla Audience Award and the Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Award will receive a generous grant of $50,000 each, further emphasizing Film AlUla’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the Saudi film industry. Festival audiences will have the exciting opportunity to actively participate by voting for their favourite films to determine one of the recipients of these prestigious awards. The winners will be revealed during the highly anticipated Awards Night on December 12, 2024.

Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “Film AlUla is a longstanding partner and supporter of the Festival and we are delighted to welcome them back as a strategic sponsor this year. Their continued support, through the Film AlUla Audience Award and the Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Award, plays a vital role strengthening the film ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond – creating a platform for talent and also encouraging an engaged audience of budding cinephiles we have been fostering through our festival. We are excited to see the impact of these awards in strengthening the dialogue between filmmakers and audiences and look forward to honoring the remarkable films that emerge this year.”

Zaid Shaker, Film AlUla Acting Executive Director, added: “As a proud partner of the Red Sea International Film Festival, Film AlUla is committed to celebrating the rich narratives and diverse voices shaping Saudi cinema. Through our sponsorship of Film AlUla Audience and Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Awards, we aim to inspire and elevate the talent that represents the heart of Saudi culture, aligning with our broader vision to establish AlUla as a global filming destination. This collaboration not only highlights our dedication to fostering local talent but also underscores our shared mission with the Red Sea Film Foundation to create lasting cultural and economic impacts in line with Vision 2030.” The Red Sea International Film Festival will take place from 5th December to 14th December 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Royal Commission for AlUla launched Film AlUla in 2020 as its dedicated film agency to promote and drive the growth of AlUla’s creative industries. Film AlUla provides tailored support to film productions at every stage, from development through to completion, along with financial incentives for choosing AlUla as a filming location. Since its inception, the agency has facilitated over 1200+ production days of filming, attracting both regional and international projects.

About the Red Sea International Film Festival
The Red Sea International Film Festival celebrates the best of Saudi, Arab, and international cinema in Jeddah. The Festival’s film program includes diverse types and categories of films from across the globe, ranging from hidden treasures restored with cutting-edge screening technology, to films from promising talents. Through its platform, the Festival hosts a selection of artistic talents, filmmakers, and industry professionals from the Arab world and beyond, along with film competitions in the feature and short films categories, concerts, masterclasses, and workshops aimed at supporting, developing, and encouraging emerging talent.

About Film AlUla
Film AlUla is The Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency, established to promote and support international film and TV production in the AlUla county, located in north-west Saudi Arabia. Its aim is to position AlUla as an international filming destination and develop the services, facilities, and infrastructure in the region to create a film-friendly ecosystem.