The Red Sea Film Foundation, in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, announced the winners of the fourth edition of the 48-Hour Film Challenge at a special ceremony held at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah. The event was attended by Red Sea Film Foundation Managing Director Shivani Malhotra Pandya and Acting CEO, Mohammed Al-Asiri, the Consul General of France in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Nehad. The competition's jury included Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek alongside Saudi actress Sarah Taibah

This challenge, aimed at encouraging emerging talents to innovate and present fresh perspectives in their cinematic projects, was organized in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, the Embassy of France in Saudi Arabia, and the Alliance Française.

The ceremony honored the two winning teams: "AFEN," led by Nawaf Al-Kanani, and "All in One Night (AION)," led by Rawan Al-Ghamdi. Both teams will have the opportunity to screen their films at the 2024 edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival and will participate in an artist residency program at one of France's leading film schools in 2025.

The challenge took place from July 26-27, 2024, where participants were tasked with writing, shooting, and editing a short film in just 48 hours. Prior to the challenge, participants attended two days of intensive workshops and professional mentorship led by industry experts. These included a directing workshop led by filmmaker Faris Godus, a screenwriting and editing workshop by director and screenwriter Amjad Al-Rasheed, and a production workshop conducted by producer Deema Azar.

Three intensive professional days were organized for the 15 short-listed teams by the French Consulate in partnership with the Red Sea Film Foundation and Art Jameel on September 17, 18, and 19. The new French Cultural Counsellor, Raphaël Justine, attended these workshops, which were designed to enhance the skills of young Saudi talents with guidance from 8 mentors: 4 from France and 4 from Saudi Arabia.

The 2 winners were selected based on high artistic standards by a jury composed of esteemed filmmakers and industry professionals, including Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek and Saudi actress Sarah Taibah. The jury praised the winning films, highlighting them as promising cinematic works that reflect the talents and potential of Saudi and local filmmakers in the industry.

Shivani Pandya, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, stated, "The Foundation remains a driving force in championing the next generation of filmmakers. We’ve seen past winners go on to achieve great success in the industry, and we are proud to have been part of that journey. Also, the opportunity for winners to showcase their films at our festival in December provides unparalleled exposure, giving their work a platform that truly sets them apart."

In his remarks during the ceremony, Mohammed Asseri, Acting CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, congratulated the winners, stating, "This challenge highlights the incredible talent and potential of emerging Saudi filmmakers. At the Red Sea Film Foundation, we are committed to nurturing and empowering these creatives, and we eagerly anticipate the impact their future projects will have on both the local and international film landscapes." Asiri also expressed his deep appreciation for the Foundation’s continued collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah for the fourth consecutive year, emphasizing the importance of these partnerships in fostering cultural exchange and leveraging international expertise to support local cinematic talent.

As the French Consul General, Mohammed Nehad, highlighted, "This project illustrates the excellence of the relationship between both countries and illustrates a successful cooperation in supporting the young talents in cinema. France, with its long experience in cinema, and Saudi Arabia, with this wonderful dynamism, have a lot to share. Among numerous common projects in the bilateral cooperation, cinema is one of the top priorities and will go on during the Red Sea Film Festival."

Notably, the fourth edition of the 48-Hour Film Challenge saw a significant increase in applications, with submissions opening in June 2024 and welcoming entries from both Saudi filmmakers and residents of Saudi Arabia. The 48-Hour Film Challenge is a joint initiative between the Consulate General of France in Jeddah and the Red Sea Film Foundation, aimed at supporting emerging cinematic voices in Saudi Arabia and strengthening the role of independent filmmaking in the local film landscape.