Read about the line-up in detailhere.
How has it been this year?
PANDYA:We havent had any hesitation at this point.
Jomana Al Rashid, Shivani PandyaGetty Images
Well have a really nice mix.
Weve had very few conversations about people being worried about coming into the region.
In fact, were seeing some huge names coming through.
New Red Sea Fest HQ in Al BaladRed Sea International Film Festival
DEADLINE:Its a busy period on the Middle East and North Africa film festival circuit.
TheresEl Gounaand Cairo in Egypt, and thenMarrakech in Morocco, followed by the Red Sea.
Does this make it harder for you to secure films and projects?
PANDYA:Not at all.
With our film program, we are at 50% world or international premieres this year.
Weve done really well, and all the films that we wanted for the competition, weve got.
Theres enough to go around.
Will everything take place there now?
SHIVANI PANDYA:Everybody loved being in Al Balad for our first edition.
Were really excited about being back and in our new headquarters.
Its beautiful and people are going to love it.
Everythings pretty much in walking distance or a buggy ride away.
Its a foundation with several pillars.
DEADLINE:Egyptian director Karim Shenawys dramaThe Tale Of Dayes Familyis opening the festival.
What was the thinking behind this choice?
PANDYA:Its a beautiful, light-hearted film.
Apart from that, when you see the storyline, its nice.
You want something slightly up-lifting.
Its the balance that you gotta have for an opening night film.
Karim is a director to be watched in the Arab world.
The writer [Haitham Dabbour] is also quite prolific.
It also features the Sudanese actress who was inYou Will Die At 20.
Its a nice mix.
It represents independent cinema in this part of the world and shows the collaboration that is happening.
And here, Saudi films are also doing well.
Theres a close proximity between the cultures.
DEADLINE:That opening slot is always a tricky one to get right.
AL RASHID:This was definitely an internal debate.
We did consider a Hollywood film, and an international film.
However, I dont think that then differentiates us from any other festival.
Thats how we kind of then nailed it down toThe Tale Of Dayes Family.
Depp was at the festival last year withMaiwennsJeanne du Barry,will he back in person again?
PANDYA:Yes, he is very passionate about the film.
We sent some interns to the set as part of our apprentice program.
They had an incredible time.
They learned a lot.
For us, having the film come and be shown here is great.
AL RASHID:The In Conversations have become a cornerstone of the festival.
Its all about knowledge sharing, and filmmakers from different parts of the world learning from established stars.
Its definitely something that we want to continue doing and were expanding.
Were going to be including more regional talent.
That for was a turning point for the festival.
I just looked around me and thought, What is going on over here?
Al RASHID:Not at all.
Its not limited to kind of opening up the region.
Were an inclusive festival.
We dont even label ourselves as an Arab or Saudi festival, were an international film festival.
Were definitely not going to be changing that strategy.
What sense do you have of wherethe Saudi film industryis at now?
AL RASHID:Were going to be proudly presenting an exceptional lineup from Saudi Arabias filmmaking community.
Were very proud of these numbers and we will continue supporting the Saudi film industry.
What is the situation now?
Are women punching through?
It feels like theyre struggling to progress to features?
PANDYA:Were seeing more and more.
In our labs program, more than 50% of the participants are women.
We need to give it more time.
Theres a huge amount of interest.
Theyre raging to go.
We have Effat University in Jeddah.
I think in the next couple of years, youll see the results.
Its a matter of time.
AL RASHID:I agree, its a matter of time.
You see it, you feel it, you hear them… theyre everywhere.
Will he be replaced?
Were very proud of the foundation that weve built and the current team that is in place.
It ultimately hasnt stopped the strategy from being implemented or even deterred it.
Its continued to grow and evolve.
Last year we had approximately 1,800 submissions.
This year, we had over 2,000.
It continues to grow, to develop.
to evolve, and we continue to also expand on our other verticals.
