The Red Sea International Film Festival has disclosed the opening of applications for the “48Hr Film Challenge,” which targets young Saudi Arabian talents aspiring to enter the world of filmmaking.
The 48Hr Film Challenge invites aspiring Saudi and Saudi resident filmmakers to create a short film in just two days. This initiative collaborates with the Alliance Française, the French Consulate in Jeddah, and the Red Sea International Film Festival. Designed to foster curiosity, innovation, and the development of emerging film talent, the challenge pushes participants to create intriguing short films in an imaginative race against the clock.
Applications are open to teams of creatives aged 18–25, comprising up to five participants, and led by a Saudi director or scriptwriter.
The official open call for applications is until June 23, 2024.
From July 18 to 20, 2024, selected teams will receive an intensive two-day mentorship workshop in short film production, after which they will embark on the 48Hr Film Challenge. Working around set themes, including an unknown scenic or prop element revealed just before the shoot, each team will strive to meet the deadline, shooting and editing a short film of three to six minutes in duration.
Participants must have financial resources to produce the film, including all necessary funding and equipment. They may use any camera, including smartphone cameras.
Shooting will take place on July 26-27. All shortlisted teams will face an imaginative challenge: 24 hours before the shoot, the Red Sea Festival will introduce a new element that must be included in their films. This element could range from a small object or artefact to a significant scenic element like a tree.
The film audio must be in English; however, teams can shoot their films in Arabic, provided they subtitle them in English or French the day after the challenge.
The challenge will culminate with two “Professional Days” on September 16-17 in Riyadh and September 18-19 in Jeddah, followed by screenings on September 19, 2024. Two teams will be awarded the 48Hr Film Challenge trophies during the screenings. Additionally, the leaders of the winning teams will receive an artistic residency ticket to master directing at La Fémis School in France in 2025.
