The Red Sea Film Festival 2025 officially began last night in Jeddah, opening with a star-studded red carpet that brought together Hollywood, Bollywood and the Middle East in one glittering celebration of cinema. Stars walking the red carpet on the opening night included Dakota Johnson, Adrien Brody, Vin Diesel, Jessica Alba, Nina Dobrev, Queen Latifa and Kristen Dunst, alongside regional filmmakers and global industry leaders. 

Now in its fifth edition, the Red Sea Film Festival has evolved into far more than a glamorous showcase. It has become a powerful platform for storytelling from the Arab world, a gateway for international collaboration, and a catalyst for the next generation of filmmakers across the region.

Standout Conversations 

For this year’s edition, a standout roster of international stars will headline the much-anticipated “In Conversation” series. Dakota Johnson, Jessica Alba, Nina Dobrev, Kristen Dunst, Queen Latifa and Ana de Armas will all take part in live discussions with audiences, offering rare insight into their careers, craft, and creative journeys. These sessions have become one of the festival’s most popular elements, bridging global celebrity culture with meaningful dialogue around film as an artform.

At the same time, the festival continues to uphold its mission of elevating Arab cinema. By placing regional storytelling shoulder-to-shoulder with global productions, the Festival is reshaping how Middle Eastern film is viewed, produced and supported on an international level.

Films Under the Spotlight

Judges at this year’s festival will be reviewing a diverse slate of new films spanning both international and regional cinema. Among the most closely watched titles are Giant, The Secret Agent, All That’s Left of You, Seven Summits, Desert Warrior and Hijra. Each reflects the festival’s commitment to showcasing stories that range from large-scale global narratives. 

Public screenings will take place throughout the week, allowing local and international audiences to experience these films firsthand. This open-access approach continues to be one of the festival’s defining strengths. 

Why the Red Sea Film Festival Matters

What makes the Red Sea Film Festival so important is its long-term vision for film in the Middle East. Through initiatives supporting emerging filmmakers, funding programmes, production labs and international partnerships, the festival plays a direct role in shaping the future of Arab storytelling. It is actively building an ecosystem that allows regional voices to develop, reach global audiences and compete at the highest international level. In a region where film infrastructure is still rapidly evolving, the festival represents a turning point. It signals a confident shift from consumption to creation, from red carpets as spectacle to red carpets as gateways for opportunity, collaboration and cultural exchange.

Looking Ahead

As the week unfolds, the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 promises a packed programme of premieres, conversations, public screenings and industry networking. With its mix of Hollywood power, Arab talent and forward-looking ambition, this year’s edition is set to be one of most significant yet. Stay tuned!