The winning teams will be selected by a jury that includes Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, Saudi star Sara Taibah and French director and screenwriter Claude Mourieras.
The Red Sea Film Foundation has unveiled the shortlisted teams for the fourth edition of its 48Hr Film Challenge, which kicked off in June 2024. In collaboration with the French Consulate General in Jeddah, the French Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Alliance Française, this initiative aims to foster emerging talents and explore innovation in independent filmmaking.
From July 19-20, 2024, the shortlisted teams will engage in intensive workshops and mentorship programmes. These sessions will include a film directing workshop led by director Faris Godus, screenwriting and editing workshops facilitated by director and screenwriter Amjad Al Rasheed, and a production workshop presented by producer Dima Azar. Equipped with newfound insights and skills, the teams will then embark on the 48-hour challenge scheduled for July 26-27, 2024, racing against time to transform their creative concepts into compelling films before the deadline. The winners of this competition will be announced on September 19, 2024.
Among the shortlisted teams are Cinergy, led by Omar Al-Abdulhadi; Visual Cortex, led by Rama Tayeb; Dimensions, led by Luai Alahmadi; The muses, led by Sereen Sultan; Thawaran, led by Rawan Alghamdi; SEE-PHONE, led by Nawaf Alkinani; Best In Town, led by Sahar Sulaiman; Seamless, led by Lamar Samarkandi; Westrich, led by Hassan Alradhi; Nafas, led by Rotana Alsharif; Maistro, led by Mohamed Abdul Jabbar; Takween, led by Duaa Aljaroudi; Papillon, led by Seba Bafil; July tie, led by Hatun Ali; and The Dreamers, led by Mohamad Alhussini.
The French Consulate will host exclusive professional workshops in Jeddah and Riyadh, featuring experts from France and Saudi Arabia, for 15 members of the shortlisted teams. These sessions will include screenings of short films and in-depth discussions on industry trends and practices.
A jury panel comprising Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, Saudi actress Sara Taibah and French director and screenwriter Claude Mourieras will select the winning teams. The winning leaders will earn a coveted residency at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France in 2025, courtesy of the French Consulate in Jeddah. Additionally, their films will be showcased at the upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2024, offering them a platform to showcase their talent on an international stage.
