Film AlUla Backs Two Awards At Red Sea IFF 2025

Film AlUla is continuing its partnership with the Red Sea International Film Festival for a fourth year, returning as a strategic partner and official sponsor to support two awards: the Film AlUla Audience Award and the Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Award. The collaboration forms part of the festival’s wider programme, which will unfold in Jeddah’s Al-Balad over ten days from December 4th to 13th, 2025.

Each award carries a USD 50,000 grant. The Best Saudi Film Award highlights originality, cultural depth, and innovative storytelling that reflect Saudi identity and heritage, strengthening links between local creators and the wider industry. The Audience Award is decided by public vote via official festival channels, centring the exchange between filmmakers and festivalgoers.

In 2024, Lawrence Valin’s 'Little Jaffna' won the Audience Award, while Abdulaziz Alshlahei’s 'Hobal' took the Best Saudi Film Award. In 2023, Tawfik Alzaidi’s 'Norah' won Best Saudi Film and became the first Saudi film selected for the Festival de Cannes, presented in the Un Certain Regard section.

“We are proud to reaffirm our sponsorship of the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2025. By championing the Film AlUla Audience Award and the Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Award, we celebrate exceptional creativity while reinforcing AlUla’s position as a premier global filming destination," Zaid Shaker, Acting Executive Director, Film AlUla, said. "This collaboration supports local talent, strengthens industry networks, and advances our shared ambition with the Red Sea Film Foundation to deliver lasting cultural and economic impact in line with Vision 2030.”

This year’s winners will be announced during RSIFF’s Awards Night on December 11th, 2025.