Dear Asian filmmakers, the Red Sea International Film Festival (Saudi Arabia) is accepting films until August 2, 2026.

About the festival:
The Red Sea International Film Festival is for film lovers, filmmakers, and the global film industry. See the blockbusters of the future before they hit the big screen. Discover old favorites with lovingly curated retrospectives and restored classics. Explore immersive audio-visual worlds and try something new with experimental and short film strands.

Sections:
– Red Sea Competition – open to Saudi, Arab, Asian and African filmmakers
– Red Sea Short Competition – open to Saudi, Arab, Asian and African filmmakers
– New Saudi/New Cinema Features and Shorts – open to Saudi filmmakers and Saudi Residents

Eligibility for Red Sea Competitions:
– The festival accepts fiction, non-fiction (documentary) and animation films.
– The festival accepts short films (under 59 minutes) and feature films (over 60 minutes).
– Films must be a Middle East and North African premiere. World and International premieres will be given priority.
– The film should not have been screened at any film festival anywhere in the world that is primarily focused on Arab films.
– Films must be a 2025 – 2026 production.
– A film’s nationality is determined by any of the following factors: The country/countries where the funding originates; Location of the production linked to tax breaks or funding; The nationality of the director(s) and/or producer(s).
– Any film screened or premiered before December 31, 2025 at a film festival, theatrically, on VOD, or online will not be considered for selection.
– Films selected to premiere at Red Sea IFF must not have been entirely or partially broadcast and/or made available on any television channel, the internet, mobile phones and/or any other public viewing platform accessible in the Middle East and North Africa region.
– All films must be submitted in their original language. If the original language of the film is not English, the film must be subtitled in English.
– Submission Fees and Deadlines:

– Notification Date: November 2026

We recommend filmmakers to read the full Rules and Regulations here: https://redseafilmfest.com/en/rules-regulation/

To submit to the festival please visit: https://fms.redseafilmfest.com/website/login.php?lang=en&_gl=1*b2e6x1*_gcl_au*MTI2MTgwMzY0Mi4xNzcyNDU0NDc4

We remind readers that the 6th Red Sea International Film Festival will take place from December 3 – 12, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Looking for a festival distributor? Learn more about our services here

To see other Calls please follow the next link: “Call For Entries”.