The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival is set to begin on December 4 in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, Saudi Arabia. The festival will open with Rowan Athale’s film 'Giant', inspired by the life of British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan. This year’s event features 111 films, including 16 in the main competition—half from the Middle East and half international. Oscar-winning director Sean Baker will chair the jury. The lineup includes Saudi Arabia’s Oscar entry 'Hijra', Cherien Dabis’s 'All That’s Left of You', and other acclaimed titles from Tunisia, Spain, and Switzerland. Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is among the confirmed celebrity attendees. The Red Sea Film Foundation, now led by CEO Faisal Baltyuor, aims to attract 40,000 visitors this year, up from 30,000 in 2024. The festival will also feature outdoor screenings, family programs, and a youth filmmaking initiative called 'Voices of Tomorrow'.