Red Sea Souk
| Red Sea Souk | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Red Sea Souk in 2025 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Film market |
| Date | December |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Venue | Al-Balad |
| Location | Jeddah |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Inaugurated | 2021 |
| Organized by | Red Sea Film Foundation |
| Website | redseafilmfest |
The Red Sea Souk is the industry marketplace that takes place concurrent with the Saudi Arabian Rea Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.[1][2] It has an emphasis on bringing together producers, financiers and film makers from the Middle East and North African region, as well as South Asia, East Asia, other parts of Africa.[3][4]
History
The first Red Sea Souk took place in 2021with 19 exhibitors, 11 of which were Saudi Arabian, in two small makeshift halls.[5] It had 65 exhibitors in 2023. And by 2024, the souk hosted 142 exhibitors from 32 countries.[5]
Components
In addition to a trade fair, the souk showcases a number of curated projects in various stages of production that compete for financial grants from the Red Sea Fund and industry partners.
Most recently in 2025, the Red Sea Fund backed 10 jury-granted awards – 2 for works-in-progress, 6 for projects in development, and 2 for series projects, in addition to industry awards, which total around $700,000.[6][7][1]
References
- 1 2 Barraclough, Leo (11 December 2025). "Palestinian Filmmaker Maha Haj's 'Playhouse' Leads Winners at Red Sea Souk Project Awards". Variety. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ↑ Ross, Rafa Sales (3 December 2025). "Red Sea Souk Director Holly Daniel Talks 'Bigger,' More Competitive Edition: 'There Has Been an Increase in People Wanting to Come to Red Sea'". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ "Moscow Film Cluster makes MENA debut at Red Sea Souk". Arab News. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ↑ Rahman, Abid (9 December 2025). "Red Sea Film Foundation CEO Faisal Baltyuor On Building an Entertainment Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- 1 2 Goodfellow, Melanie (13 December 2024). "Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Souk Market Enjoys Busiest Year Ever As It Doubles Exhibitor Numbers & Draws Industry Heavyweights". Deadline. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ Rosser, Michael. "Maha Haj, Mohamed Kordofani projects scoop Red Sea Souk awards". Screen. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ↑ Ntim, Zac (10 December 2025). "'About Love & September Laws,' The Next Feature From 'Goodbye Julia' Filmmaker Mohamed Kordofani, Among Red Sea Souk Award Winners". Deadline. Retrieved 11 December 2025.