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Jeddah Film Fest Drenched: Flood Halts Red Sea Cinema Event
9 Dec
Summary
- Heavy rainfall caused the Red Sea International Film Festival to shut down.
- Key events, including talks with directors and actors, were canceled.
- The festival aims to promote Arab, African, and Asian cinema.
Heavy rainfall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, brought the Red Sea International Film Festival to a standstill on Tuesday. The deluge, unusual for the region, prompted organizers to issue safety advisories and close venues, including Culture Square and the Red Sea Souk, for the remainder of the day. Keynote talks with notable figures like director Darren Aronofsky and actor Riz Ahmed were among the many public events canceled as a precautionary measure due to potential road closures and safety concerns.
Founded in 2019, the Red Sea International Film Festival has quickly become a significant platform for cinema, focusing on championing stories from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia. It also aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a key hub for global film culture. The event regularly attracts international talent to Jeddah for masterclasses and industry discussions.
This year's edition had already welcomed a diverse roster of stars, including Michael Caine, Adrien Brody, and Uma Thurman, among others. However, the adverse weather forced the cancellation of all scheduled screenings and activities. The festival stated that refunds would be provided for canceled screenings and encouraged attendees to monitor official channels for further updates.
