The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has announced the selection of 15 short films for its Arab Shorts Competition. The event, taking place from December 5 to 14 in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, will showcase emerging and established filmmakers from across the Arab world.
Diverse Talents and Cultural Narratives
The competition features films from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia, Somalia, Jordan, Sudan, and the UAE. It aims to amplify diverse Arab narratives, providing filmmakers with an international platform to reach global audiences and industry professionals.
RSIFF Director of Arab Programs and Film Classics, Antoine Khalife, praised this year’s lineup. He emphasized that these films reflect the sophistication and maturity of the region’s film and entertainment landscape. According to Khalife, the selected films convey powerful messages through innovative cinematic techniques, tackling topics like identity, mental health, and self-discovery.
Celebrating Storytelling and Regional Talent
This marks the fourth edition of the Arab Shorts Competition. Since its inception, the program has elevated regional talent, screening over 120 Arab and Saudi films from 2021 to 2023. Khalife stated, “Storytelling preserves rich human experiences beyond language and culture, and this year’s films offer a vivid portrait of the Arab world.”
The selected films cover a range of themes, such as identity, memory, and belonging. The festival aims to meet the growing global demand for diverse and authentic storytelling by supporting Arab filmmakers and connecting them with key industry stakeholders.
Highlights of the 2024 Arab Shorts Lineup
The 15 films selected for this year’s competition include:
- Fragments of Life – Directed by Anis Ben Dali. A boy faces isolation and conflict in a remote mountain village.
- Saint Rose – Directed by Zayn Alexandre. A housewife navigates her dissatisfaction amid her daughter’s engagement.
- The Signal – Directed by Nasser Alqattan. A traffic incident goes viral, leading to police intervention.
- Shams – Directed by Adam Rayan. A boy makes a tough decision to save his family’s financial situation.
- Chikha – Directed by Ayoub Layoussifi and Zahoua Raji. A girl in Morocco chooses between heritage and a stable life.
- African Family Dinner – Directed by Ibrahim Mursal. Cultural differences surface during a dinner between a Norwegian woman and her Ghanaian friend’s family.
- In Three Layers of Darkness – Directed by Houcem Slouli. A Tunisian man faces visa struggles and social injustices.
- Children of Barzagh – Directed by Ahmed Khattab. A girl’s journey through Gaza highlights the harsh realities of war.
- Mera, Mera, Mera – Directed by Khaled Zidan. A man discovers a surprising truth while facing neighborhood changes.
- Malika – Directed by Maram Taibah. A Saudi girl embarks on an adventure to reclaim her family’s legacy.
- Land of God – Directed by Imad Benomar. A body mix-up leads to unexpected consequences for two families.
- Nemshi? – Directed by Assaf Al Rousan. A man confronts his purpose after his father’s death.
- Fizr – Directed by Rani Nasr. A man wrestles with loyalty and survival after a dispute with an authority figure.
- Zahra – Directed by Hadi Shatat. A factory worker faces hardships while preparing for childbirth.
- One Last Time – Directed by Karim Rahbani. A senior citizen finds new joy after an unexpected encounter.
Elevating Arab Cinema
The Arab Shorts Competition continues to be a key platform for nurturing and promoting Arab filmmaking talent. It highlights diverse voices and ensures regional stories reach global audiences, fostering growth and opportunities for emerging filmmakers.
