The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has revealed the details of this year’s Families & Children strand, a dedicated programme that brings together a spectacular series of films designed to inspire younger viewers.

The Families & Children strand has selected three fun and universal films, introducing the magic of cinema to younger audiences with captivating stories for children, teens, and families with a big appetite for film. This year’s selection includes the festival’s first musical, the magical “Sukkar: Sabaabaa W Houboub Al Kharziz” directed by Egyptian filmmaker Tamer Mahdy. The film follows a series of adventures for young orphan Sukkar and her friends, and is a sequel to the Mahdy’s imaginative musical “Yawmiat Sukkar: Saheb Al Thel Al Taweel.” Also screening are Richard Claus and Karsten Kiilerich’s “Panda Bear in Africa,” following the journey of the adventurous Panda Ping to rescue his friend, and “Night of the Zoopocalypse,” which tells the story of a virus that turns the animals of Colepepper Zoo into zombies, and the quest for a cure.

Antoine Khalife, Director of Arab Programs & Film Classics for the Red Sea International Film Festival, said: “Across our programme this year, we’re presenting a vibrant selection of films from Egypt in celebration of its reinvigorated cinema industry. We’re proud to be introducing children to the world of cinema in Egypt and beyond with the festival’s first musical ‘Sukkar,’ screening in our captivating Families & Children programme, which we’re sure audiences of all ages will enjoy.”

Kaleem Aftab, Director of International Programming for the Red Sea International Film Festival, added: “We’re committed to fostering a sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere at our festival, and our Families & Children strand encourages families to participate together, whilst nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and film enthusiasts contributing to the future of the industry. From loveable animals turned to zombies to a panda’s epic adventure, we’ve curated a selection of exciting and hilarious films for everyone this year.”

Red Sea International Film Festival – Families & Children:

“Night of the Zoopocalypse”

Ricardo Curtis, Rodrigo Perez-Castro

All the animals at friendly Colepepper Zoo are turning into zombies, thanks to a viral attack; the few survivors, led by young wolf Gracie, must find a cure before the virus infects the whole world.

“Panda Bear in Africa”

Richard Claus, Karsten Kiilerich

When his dragon friend is kidnapped as a gift for an African lion king, adventurous Panda Ping makes his way across seas, deserts and jungles to rescue him.

“Sukkar: Sabaabaa W Houboub Al Kharziz”

Tamer Mahdy

A bout of chicken-pox becomes the unlikely catalyst for a series of adventures for young orphan Sukkar and her friends in this Arabic musical.

The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will run in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5th – 14th 2024.

The Festival is supported by Principal Sponsors: Visit Saudi, MBC, and Genesis Mohamad Yusuf AlNaghi; Official Sponsors: Film AlUla, SRMG, Chopard, SAUDIA, and TikTok; Strategic Sponsors of the Red Sea Souk: NEOM and Cultural Development Fund; and Support Sponsors Nova, Mermaid and Telfaz.

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.