The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has announced the first highlights of its highly anticipated fifth edition, unveiling the “New Saudi Cinema” short film program.

The initiative will feature 21 new short films by Saudi filmmakers, including fiction, documentary, and animation, carefully selected from more than 200 submissions. The program will run alongside a diverse slate of regional and international screenings. The selection highlights the vibrancy of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding film scene, where a new generation of storytellers is bringing authentic voices and fresh perspectives to the screen.

By curating and showcasing these works, RSIFF provides Saudi filmmakers with a platform to reach wider audiences and positions the Kingdom as an emerging force in the international film scene.

The program reflects the festival’s ongoing mission to champion local talent, nurture creative expression, and showcase the richness and diversity of Saudi cultural heritage.