Hollywood meets the Middle East as Red Sea International Film Festival opens in Jeddah

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, one of the Middle East’s largest film festivals, opened Thursday in the coastal city of Jeddah, marking a significant moment for the kingdom’s growing film industry.

Running from Dec. 4 to 13, the Red Sea International Film Festival brings together filmmakers and talent from around the world, screening more than 100 films from over 70 countries.

The festival’s prestigious “Red Sea: Competition” strand features a selection of 16 narrative features, animations and documentaries from the Arab world, Asia and Africa, all vying for the top honor: the Yusr Awards, which will be presented at the closing ceremony.

The festival takes place in Jeddah’s Al-Balad district — a UNESCO World Heritage site — blending Saudi heritage with international cinema.

This year, the selection jury is being led by the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sean Baker, best known for “Anora,” which won five Oscars, four of which went to Sean Baker himself.

“This festival is really exciting because of how big it’s become just in the last five years,” Baker said. “It’s rare that I see a festival just exploding in terms of importance and impact on world cinema.”

The festival opens with “Giant,” a true story of legendary British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed. The film stars Egyptian-British actor Amir El-Masry as Hamed and Pierce Brosnan as his Irish trainer, Brendan Ingle, and is directed by British filmmaker Rowan Athale.

“It was probably one of the hardest roles I’ve ever done,” El-Masry said, noting that his preparation involved four and a half weeks of training, during which he lost about eight kilos.

“It’s been a passion project for me for a long time,” said Athale. “I come from a similar neighborhood — actually within a few miles of Naz. He was a hero of mine growing up, particularly being multiracial in the region. I’ve always wanted to make a film about him. So it’s a privilege to make it.”

Reflecting on the premiere, he added, “To have it as the opening night film here — I mean, look at this. I’ve never seen anything like this. Not at Cannes, not anywhere. It’s daunting, it’s terrifying, but it’s an honor.”

The opening night drew a wide range of international stars, including Hollywood and Bollywood figures including Adrien Brody, Sir Michael Caine, Vin Diesel and Ana de Armas walking the red carpet.

Veteran actor Giancarlo Esposito, also attending the festival, said the gathering reflects the unifying power of cinema. “This celebration at the Red Sea Film Festival is really about celebrating film,” he said.

The Red Sea International Film Festival was founded by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation. It is funded by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth fund and private sponsors. It aims to play a vital role in promoting regional filmmakers and fostering global connections.

The festival is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include diversifying the economy, strengthening cultural infrastructure and fostering local creative talent.

The event comes as Saudi Arabia invests heavily in sectors like film, gaming and sports as part of its broader transformation efforts. However, various rights groups have criticized these actions, saying they serve to draw away attention from the kingdom’s human rights record, including its high rate of executions and restrictions on free expression.

Rita Ora arrives for the opening of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan arrives for the opening of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Queen Latifah arrives for the opening of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Michael Caine arrives for the opening of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan arrives for the opening of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Ollie Watkins' second-half header gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Lille in the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie on Thursday.

Just past the hour mark, Ezri Konsa sent a deep pass that Emi Buendía headed to Watkins in the home team's box. The England forward noticed goalkeeper Berke Özer was off his line before sending a looping header over him and into the net.

Minutes later, Watkins wasted a chance to double the advantage when he failed to score in a one-on-one with the 'keeper.

In an all-Italian derby, Bologna and Roma drew 1-1 in the first leg.

Porto took home a 2-1 advantage from Stuttgart. Terem Moffi and Rodrigo Mora scored six minutes apart in the first half for Porto before Deniz Undav netted for Stuttgart before the interval.

In Athens, Vicente Taborda converted from the spot two minutes from time as Panathinaikos overcame Real Betis 1-0 in a game where both sides were reduced to 10.

With the victory, Villa became the first English team this week to win their first-leg game in European competitions.

None of England’s six clubs in the knockouts of the Champions League won, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool losing. Only Arsenal and Newcastle picked up draws.

Nottingham Forest in the Europa League and Crystal Palace in the Conference League will be in action later Thursday.

Villa was also boosted by the return from injury of captain John McGinn, who came on as substitute in the 77th minute. He had missed seven weeks with a knee injury.

Federico Bernardeschi scored for host Bologna early in the second half to take a 1-0 lead against Roma. Substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini equalized just five minutes after he came off the bench.

The tie is still wide open, though Roma will take more experience into next week's second leg. Roma was runner-up twice, including in 2023, in this competition and coach Gian Piero Gasperini won the Europa League two years ago with Atalanta.

The Europa League format that launched last year lets teams from the same country meet at any point in the knockout phase. Previously, national derbies were possible only from the quarterfinals.

Later Thursday, Nottingham Forest hosts Danish club Midtjylland.

Celta Vigo plays the first leg against league-phase winner Lyon, while Freiburg visits Genk.

In the third-tier Conference League, Crystal Palace hosts AEK Larnaca.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Europa League soccer match between Bologna and Roma in Bologna, Italy, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller, top centre, scores a goal that was disallowed after a VAR review, during the round of 16, first leg soccer match of the Europa League between VfB Stuttgart and FC Porto, in Stuttgart, Germany, Thursday March 12, 2026. (Marijan Murat/dpa via AP)

Bologna's Federico Bernardeschi scores their side's first goal of the game during the Europa League soccer match between Bologna and Roma in Bologna, Italy, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins falls over Lille's goalkeeper Berke Ozer during a first leg, round of 16 Europa League soccer match between Lille and Aston Villa in Lille, France, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring during a first leg, round of 16 Europa League soccer match between Lille and Aston Villa in Lille, France, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, left, scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest in Manchester, England, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Roma's Evan Ndicka celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Roma in Genoa, Italy, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP)

Chelsea's Reece James, left, tackles Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers during their English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Chelsea in Birmingham, England, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)