Short Film Jury at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025
In a move reflecting the growing stature of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the global film map, the Red Sea International Film Festival revealed details of the jury for its upcoming 2025 short film competition. This announcement confirms the festival's commitment to combining established international expertise with young Arab visions, in preparation for evaluating the largest short film submission in the festival's history, and crowning the creators at the highly anticipated "Yusr" Awards ceremony in Jeddah.
A refereeing combination that blends global standards with Arab identity
The festival management entrusted the jury to three prominent figures in cinema, representing diverse artistic schools, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation and multiple critical perspectives. This panel is headed by the renowned Danish producer Kim Magnussen , a two-time Academy Award winner and a global authority on short film production. Joining him are the internationally acclaimed Jordanian director Darin Sallam , who has made a significant mark on contemporary Arab cinema, and the talented Saudi actress Noor Alkhadra , who represents the voice of the new generation of Saudi artists.
This unique blend of meticulous Scandinavian expertise, the dramatic depth of Arab cinema, and the renewed Saudi spirit aims to provide an in-depth critical reading of the competing works, raising expectations for the final results of the competition.
Event context: Jeddah as a global cinematic destination
This announcement cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the cultural movement in the Kingdom. Since its inception, the Red Sea Film Festival has been more than just a showcase; it has become a pivotal component of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and enhance quality of life through culture and the arts. Thanks to this festival, the historic city of Jeddah has transformed into a bridge connecting filmmakers in Asia, Africa, and the Arab world with their counterparts in the West, fostering opportunities for cultural exchange and co-production.
Record numbers and fierce competition
This year's competition is exceptionally significant, having recorded the highest number of participating films since the festival's inception. This overwhelming response reflects the confidence of independent and emerging filmmakers in the festival as a gateway to international recognition. The selected list boasts a wide geographical and cultural diversity, with productions from France, Taiwan, Palestine, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and the Philippines competing, promising audiences a rich and varied visual experience.
New Saudi Cinema: A Bet on the Future
In a related context, the "New Saudi Cinema" program stands out as one of the festival's most important pillars, showcasing a promising generation of Saudi directors who have transitioned from amateur to professional. Their diverse works this year include action films, documentaries, and animation, indicating a maturing of artistic skills and a broadening of narrative horizons among local filmmakers.
Expected impact and decision date
Faisal Baltayour, CEO of the festival, affirmed that the selection of these distinguished names for the jury reflects the festival's belief that short films are the true laboratory for developing new narrative styles and breaking traditional molds. The output of this edition is expected to highlight talents that will shape the future of cinema in the region.
The eyes of the film community and critics are turning towards December 11, when the winners will take the stage at the “Yusr” awards ceremony, bringing to a close a competition described as the strongest and most diverse in its category, cementing the festival’s position as a leading creative incubator.
