This year’s selection highlights a remarkable lineup, including 12 Selected Projects, 12 Red Sea Lodge Projects, 7 Work-in-Progress Showcases, and 7 Series in Development
The Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled 38 compelling feature film and TV projects as part of this year’s Red Sea Souk Project Market, showcasing a continued commitment to championing bold storytelling and exciting new voices in cinema. This year’s selection highlights a diverse range of narratives and talent from across the globe.
The selected projects represent the culmination of the Red Sea Labs annual development program within the Lodge, in partnership with TorinoFilmLab and sponsored by Film Alula. Further expanding its support for episodic storytelling, the Project Market will also feature, for the first time, seven series currently in development through Red Sea SeriesLab, in collaboration with Film Independent.
Marking a significant expansion of the program, the Souk this year opened its call for submissions to filmmakers across Asia for the first time, resulting in 28% of total submissions originating from the continent. Previously, it was open exclusively to projects with directors from Africa or the Arab world.
An international panel of readers evaluated submissions from the open call, with the final selection determined by a dedicated selection committee. Each project will benefit from tailored pitch mentoring in the lead-up to the Souk, ensuring filmmakers are optimally prepared to connect with potential partners and investors.
Reflecting the Souk’s ongoing support of talent, the Souk is welcoming back filmmakers Asmae Al Moudir, Sofia Alaouiand Halkawt Mustafa, whose previous feature films screened at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival, and who will present their exciting new projects in development during the 2024 edition.
Commenting on this year’s selection, Red Sea Souk Director Holly Daniel said: “This year’s Red Sea Souk Project Market selection truly embodies our commitment to championing diverse voices and perspectives. As we open our Project Market up to the whole of Asia for the first time, the 38 projects in selection this year represent some of the most original talent and stories from across the two continents and we are delighted to present them to the industry in our new Festival home in Jeddah’s old town.
All selected projects will be considered for the Red Sea Souk and Red Sea Labs Awards, alongside a number of partner awards to be announced soon. These awards offer crucial financial support at various stages of a project’s lifecycle, including development, production, and post-production, as well as dedicated support for projects within the Lodge and SeriesLab.
The Red Sea Souk Projects-in-Development:
“Do Re Mimi,” by Fatima Al-Banawi
Fiction
Saudi Arabia
“Farouk,” by Halkawt Mustafa
Documentary
Iraq, Norway
“Haven of Hope,” by Seemab Gul
Debut, Fiction
Pakistan
“Holy Cow” (Working Title), by Asmae El Moudir
Fiction
Morocco
“It’s Okay, I’m Only Human,” by Karim Ghorayeb and George Peter Barbari
Documentary
Lebanon, France
“La Pyramide,” by Cj ‘Fiery’ Obasi
Fiction
US, Brazil, Senegal, UK, Nigeria
“Mother Maybe,” by Sonny Calvento
Fiction
Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan R.O.C.
“Robbing Beirut” by Katia Jarjoura
Debut, Fiction
Lebanon, France
“Tahmina” by Aboozar Amini
Fiction
The Netherlands, Canada, Afghanistan, Germany
“The Loneliness of the Light Skin One,” by Baloji Tshiani
Fiction
Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa
“The Sea Was Once Blue” by Mohamad El-Hadidi
Debut, Fiction
Egypt, France
“Watch It Burn” by Makbul Mubarak
Fiction
Indonesia
The Lodge Projects:
“Assa, a Fish in a Bowl,” by Dahlia Nemlich
Debut, Fiction
Lebanon
“Blue Card,” by Mohammed Alomda
Debut, Fiction
Sudan, Egypt
“I Didn’t Sign Up For This,” by Lana Komsany
Debut, Fiction
Saudi Arabia
“Hadd,” by Jamal Kutbi
Debut, Fiction
Saudi Arabia
“Close Rose Close,” by Rulan Hasan
Debut, Fiction
Saudi Arabia
“I’ll Smile in September,” by Aakash Chhabra
Debut, Fiction
India
“Jaysan,” by Aisha Sultanbekova
Debut, Fiction
Kyrgyzstan
“The Silent Ones,” by Jawahine Zentar
Debut, Fiction
Morocco
“Pepo Kali,” by Lydia Matata
Debut, Fiction
Kenya
“Tarfaya,” by Sofia Alaoui
Fiction
Morocco
“Terbakar,” by Shelby Kho
Debut, Fiction
Indonesia, Singapore
“Manjano,” by Omar Hamza
Debut, Fiction
Kenya
The Red Sea Souk Works-in-Progress:
“A Winner is Seen at the Start,” by Zhannat Alshanova
Debut, Fiction
France, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Lithuania
“Allah is Not Obliged,” by Zaven Najjar
Debut, Animation
France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Canada
“Dandelion’s Odyssey,” by Momoko Seto
Debut, Animation
Japan, France, Belgium
“Fuxi,” by Qiu Jiongjiong
Fiction
Taiwan / Hong Kong
“Guria,” Levan Kougashvili
Fiction
Georgia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Türkiye
“Memory of Princess Mumbi,” by Damien Hauseu
Fiction
Switzerland, Kenya
“Vagabonds,” by Amartei Armar
Debut, Fiction
Ghana
The SeriesLab Projects:
“B’itha,” By Noorah Al Eidi & Shehreyar Ahsan
Saudi Arabia
“Saria Othman Needs No Man,” By Eshtephan Khattar & Hiba Louis
Lebanon
“Pazuzu,” By Ali Kareem & Dania Altayeb
Iraq, Saudi Arabia
“Generation A,” By Mona Ombogo & Louise Kamwangi
Kenya
“Switch,” By Nathan Magoola & Lucky Lora Atwine
Uganda
“Cold Case-One” (Pullukandam Murder Case) By Nithin Lukose & Hari Kirishnan
India
“Shani Bazaar,” By Karan Kabir & Nitin Koul
India
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 program 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.