The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has revealed a star-studded lineup of speakers to appear In Conversation at the fourth edition of the Festival, running in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th – 14th 2024. The programme welcomes special guests from all over the world to share insights and have meaningful discussions about their practice, passions and stories with fans, cinema lovers and industry executives through its “In Conversation With” and “Souk Talents” strands. For the first time, the “In Conversation With” talks will take place at the brand new Cultural Square headquarters of the Red Sea Film Foundation in Al Balad.

The diverse slate of cinematic luminaries join previously announced speakers Mona Zaki (“Flight 404,” “Abserb: The Squadron”) award-winning Egyptian actor, and Viola Davis (“The Woman King,” “Fences”), Academy Award winner and cofounder of JVL Media. The raft of speakers this year includes legendary filmmaker Michael Mann (“Ferrari”), Egyptian writer and director Mohamed Samy (“Detention Letter”) and Turkish stars Engin Altan Düzyatan (“Dirili?: Ertu?rul”) and Nurgül Ye?ilçay (“Magnificent Century: Kosem,” “The Edge of Heaven”). Also joining the lineup are Indian Cinema megastars Ranbir Kapoor (“Animal”) and Kareena Kapoor Khan (“Buckingham Murders”) and award winning actor Eva Longoria (“Only Murders In The Building”), as well as this year’s Head of Jury Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”). In the festival’s Souk Talents programme, aimed at up-and-coming creatives, on-screen star Andrew Garfield (“The Social Network,” “tick, tick…BOOM!”) will be delivering a talk.

Jomana Al Rashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, remarked: “This year’s ‘In Conversation With’ and ‘Souk Talent’ programs proudly showcase an extraordinary lineup of globally acclaimed speakers. These luminaries, whose exceptional careers span both sides of the camera, have profoundly inspired generations of audiences, storytellers, and cinephiles. It is an honor to provide a platform at our New Home of Film in Al Balad, where they can delve into their artistic journeys, share insights on their most cherished projects, and reveal the inspirations that have shaped their craft. We eagerly anticipate the expertise and stories this remarkable group will bring to the festival this December.”

About the Red Sea International Film Festival
Red Sea International Film Festival provides a platform for Arab filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world to connect, host feature and short film competitions, and present a series of events, masterclasses, and workshops to support emerging talent. Running alongside the Festival is the Red Sea Souk, the Festival’s industry market, designed for global exchange and partnerships between the international and Saudi film industries. The four-day market will offer a packed Programme of curated events to foster co-production, international distribution, and new business opportunities. The Souk offers unbeatable access to the new vibrant Saudi scene, as well as the best of the Arab market, through pitching sessions, one-on-one meetings, screenings, industry talks, and networking events.