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Red Sea Fund opens applications for production cycle

  • From April 6, 2024, directors hailing from Arab and African backgrounds can apply to secure a production grant for their films
  • With a minimum runtime requirement of 60 minutes, filmmakers are encouraged to submit their projects

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The prestigious Red Sea Fund has thrown open its doors to filmmakers across Arab and African origins, inviting submissions for its Production Cycle. With the launch of Cycle 2 for the year 2024, the Fund is geared up to support feature-length narrative, documentary, and animation projects.

From April 6, 2024, directors hailing from Arab and African backgrounds can apply to secure a production grant for their films. The Red Sea Fund, known for fostering cinematic talent from these regions, aims to facilitate the realization of compelling storytelling through this initiative.

The Fund’s call for submissions marks the fourth edition of its cycle. With a minimum runtime requirement of 60 minutes, filmmakers are encouraged to submit their projects. 

This initiative aligns with the Fund’s broader mission of amplifying diverse voices and narratives, enriching the global cinematic landscape. By providing crucial financial support at the production stage, the Red Sea Fund aims to empower filmmakers, enabling them to bring their creative visions to life.

Stay tuned for forthcoming cycles dedicated to Development (C3) and Post-production (C4), as the Red Sea Fund seeks to nurture talent and foster innovation in the realm of filmmaking.

Considered a dynamic force in the world of Arab and African film financing, the Red Sea Fund operates across four cycles, encompassing projects in stages of development, production, and post-production.

The Fund has supported over 250 films since its first edition in 2021. Beyond its financial contributions, the Fund is also launching a range of initiatives to bolster the film industry. These include a celebration of women in cinema by funding graduation films from the first women’s university and the first filmmaking degree in the Kingdom of Saudi. This is in addition to partnerships with other festivals around the world, providing financial awards to exceptional projects.

Documentary, fiction, animation – episodic, shorts, and features – the Fund is looking out for filmmakers and the new exciting wave of films from the region.