THE recently concluded Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia has proven to be a significant cultural event, drawing filmmakers and media professionals from around the globe. Founded by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation, the festival showcased the kingdom’s ambition to expand its influence in films, gaming, sports, and other creative fields.
This year, the festival featured 16 films in its Features Competition, highlighting works from the Arab region, Asia and Africa. Esteemed filmmaker Lee led the jury, eager to discover new talent and cinematic gems. Films like Lotfi Achour’s “Red Path” and Mehdi M. Barsaoui’s “Aïcha” demonstrated the diverse storytelling and innovative filmmaking emerging from these regions.
For Pakistani media and production houses, the festival presented a wealth of investment and business opportunities. Whether in pre-production, post-production, short films, reels, movies, games, storytelling or documentaries, there was ample room for growth and collaboration. The festival’s environment fostered global connections, making it an ideal platform for Pakistani filmmakers to showcase their talent and engage with international counterparts.
Unfortunately, Pakistani media outlets did not capitalize on these opportunities. Unlike our neighbouring country, which established a consulate presence at the Red Sea Souk to explore media and film collaborations, Pakistani agencies seemed to have overlooked this vital event. Our government and related agencies must prioritize facilitating Pakistani media’s participation in such festivals. Engaging with events like the Red Sea International Film Festival could open doors to new markets and partnerships, enhancing the global presence of Pakistani cinema.
In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to nurturing regional filmmakers and fostering global connections through the Red Sea International Film Festival was commendable. Pakistani media and production houses should have seized this opportunity to expand their horizons and collaborate on a global scale. It is time for our government and media agencies to recognize the potential of such festivals and actively participate in shaping the future of Pakistani cinema on the international stage.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
