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DUBAI: Calling all filmmakers. The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced that it is accepting submissions for its highly anticipated third edition, which will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9, 2023.     

Filmmakers and distributors from Asia, Africa and the Arab world are invited to submit their films from May 5 until Aug. 18.  

Established names — as well as emerging Arab, Asian and African filmmakers across the world — are encouraged to submit their films for the Red Sea: Competition and the Red Sea: Shorts Competition sections. Saudi filmmakers can also submit their work to be screened as part of the feature and short films strand, New Saudi/New Cinema.  

The festival’s program will feature eleven curated categories showcasing contemporary international and Arab cinema, Saudi features, shorts, experimental films, and future-oriented AR and VR experiences.   

The films in competition will compete for the Yusr Awards, including the Red Sea Golden Yusr Award for Best Film in Competition, which carries a cash prize of $100,000. Other awards include Best Director, the Red Sea Silver Yusr Jury Prize, and the Golden Yusr for Best Short Film.  

The second edition of the festival was lauded for significantly expanding the industry and events program alongside presenting 143 films from 66 countries to 39,410 filmgoers and 4,345 film professionals, media members and students.    

The Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film was awarded to “Hanging Gardens” directed by Ahmed Yassin Al-Daradji and the Film AlUla Audience Award for Best Saudi Film was won by “How I Got There,” directed by Zeyad Al-Husaini.