The Red Sea International Film Festival, one of Saudi Arabia’s major international film events, will not take place in 2026 after the Red Sea Film Foundation announced that its sixth edition has been postponed to the fourth quarter of 2027.
The announcement was made on September 21, 2026, just over two months before the festival was originally scheduled to take place in Jeddah from December 3 to 12, 2026. The Foundation said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the timing of the next edition, including the logistical requirements involved in staging an international event of its scale.
In its announcement, the Foundation said the postponement is intended to ensure that the festival returns at the right time and under the right conditions. It also confirmed that the sixth edition will return in 2027 with a renewed vision and a programme focused on celebrating filmmakers and cinema from Saudi Arabia, the wider region and around the world.
The festival had already been preparing for its 2026 edition, with submissions for films and accreditation processes underway. The original programme was expected to bring filmmakers, actors, industry professionals and cinema audiences to Historic Jeddah’s Al-Balad for screenings, premieres, discussions and industry events.
The Red Sea Souk, the festival’s industry market, had also been scheduled for December 5–9, 2026. It was planned to feature film projects, industry discussions, networking sessions and opportunities connecting filmmakers with international industry professionals. The festival’s website has now noted that the sixth edition will instead take place in the fourth quarter of 2027, with new dates to be announced.
While the main festival is being postponed, the Red Sea Film Foundation said its wider activities will continue throughout the year. Its programmes, including the Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Labs, will continue supporting filmmakers and film projects.
The Foundation is also preparing to launch year-round programming at Culture Square in Historic Jeddah from November 2026. The programme will include film screenings, cultural events and specialised programmes for the film industry, creating a continuing cinema-focused presence in the city while audiences wait for the festival’s return.
The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched in Jeddah in 2021 and has since developed into an important platform for Saudi, Arab and international cinema. Its previous editions have attracted filmmakers, actors and industry figures from around the world.
The Foundation has not yet announced the exact dates for the 2027 edition. It said further information, including details concerning refunds for film submissions and accreditation, will be made available through its official channels.
