Red Sea Film Festival Postponed Until 2027, Organizers Say

The sixth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival has been postponed until the fourth quarter of 2027, the festival’s Foundation confirmed.

In a statement released Monday, the Foundation said the event, originally scheduled for Dec. 3-12 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will return in 2027.

The decision comes amid ongoing regional military tensions related to the U.S.-Israeli-Iran war, including missile and drone threats and attacks attributed to Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia.

Following “a comprehensive review of a range of considerations relating to the timing of the next edition, including the logistical requirements involved in staging an international event of this scale,” the Foundation said it had decided to reschedule the festival.

The postponement reflects the Foundation’s commitment to holding the festival at an appropriate time and under suitable conditions, it said. The organization will also introduce year-round programming at Culture Square in Historic Jeddah beginning in November 2026, creating a permanent venue for film screenings, cultural events and specialized film-industry programs.

Organizers said the festival will return in 2027 with a “renewed vision” and a program dedicated to celebrating filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the wider region and around the world.

The Red Sea Film Festival has expanded rapidly in recent years, investing heavily in attracting major Hollywood figures to Jeddah while supporting initiatives including the Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Labs. Those programs will continue as part of the Foundation’s year-round cultural and film-industry ecosystem. Last year’s attendees included Michael Caine, Johnny Depp, Sean Baker, Juliette Binoche, Adrien Brody, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba and Queen Latifah.

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