The two top teams will embark on a journey to France for an exclusive artist residency, with their films set to premiere at the fourth edition of Red Sea International Film Festival.
The Red Sea Film Foundation, in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, has announced the winners of the fourth edition of the 48-Hour Film Challenge during a special ceremony at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah. The event was attended by Red Sea Film Foundation Managing Director Shivani Malhotra Pandya, Acting CEO Mohammed Al-Asiri, and French Consul General Mohammed Nehad.
The competition’s jury, which included Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek and Saudi actress Sarah Taibah, selected two winning teams: AFEN, led by Nawaf Al-Kanani, and All in One Night (AION), led by Rawan Al-Ghamdi. Both teams will showcase their films at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival and participate in an artist residency at one of France’s leading film schools in 2025.
The challenge took place from July 26-27, 2024, where participants had just 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film. Before the challenge, participants engaged in two days of intensive workshops led by industry experts. These included a directing workshop with filmmaker Faris Godus, a screenwriting and editing session by director Amjad Al-Rasheed, and a production workshop by producer Deema Azar.
On September 17-19, the French Consulate, in partnership with the Red Sea Film Foundation and Art Jameel, organised three professional development days for the 15 short-listed teams. The new French Cultural Counsellor, Raphaël Justine, attended the sessions, which featured guidance from eight mentors—four from France and four from Saudi Arabia—to further develop the skills of emerging Saudi filmmakers.
The two winning teams were selected based on high artistic standards by a jury of distinguished filmmakers and industry professionals, including Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek and Saudi actress Sarah Taibah. The jury commended the winning films as promising works that showcase the talent and potential of Saudi and local filmmakers.
Shivani Pandya, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “The Foundation remains a driving force in championing the next generation of filmmakers. We’ve seen past winners go on to achieve great success in the industry, and we are proud to have been part of that journey. Also, the opportunity for winners to showcase their films at our festival in December provides unparalleled exposure, giving their work a platform that truly sets them apart.”
Mohammed Asseri, Acting CEO of Red Sea Film Foundation, added: “This challenge highlights the incredible talent and potential of emerging Saudi filmmakers. At the Red Sea Film Foundation, we are committed to nurturing and empowering these creatives, and we eagerly anticipate the impact their future projects will have on both the local and international film landscapes.” Asiri also expressed his deep appreciation for the Foundation’s continued collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah for the fourth consecutive year, emphasising the importance of these partnerships in fostering cultural exchange and leveraging international expertise to support local cinematic talent.
As the French Consul General, Mohammed Nehad, highlighted: “This project illustrates the excellence of the relationship between both countries and illustrates a successful cooperation in supporting the young talents in cinema. France, with its long experience in cinema, and Saudi Arabia, with this wonderful dynamism, have a lot to share. Among numerous common projects in the bilateral cooperation, cinema is one of the top priorities and will go on during the Red Sea Film Festival.”
Notably, the fourth edition of the 48-Hour Film Challenge saw a significant increase in applications, with submissions opening in June 2024 and welcoming entries from both Saudi filmmakers and residents of Saudi Arabia. The 48-Hour Film Challenge is a joint initiative between the Consulate General of France in Jeddah and the Red Sea Film Foundation, aimed at supporting emerging cinematic voices in Saudi Arabia and strengthening the role of independent filmmaking in the local film landscape.
