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The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) tonight celebrated the beginning of its fourth edition with cinema lovers and the film community from around the world, its inaugural opening night at the festival’s new headquarters in Cultural Square, Al Balad. The festival opened with the world premiere of Saudi-Egyptian co-production The Tale Of Daye’s Family.
Directed by the critically acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker Karim Shenawy, the screening was attended by Shenawy and lead cast: Badr Mohamad, Haneen Mohamad, Islam Mubarak, and Aseel Omran, as well as producer and writer Haitham Dabbour. Jury President Spike Lee was in attendance with his jury - acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker Abu Bakr Shawky (Yomeddine), celebrated Turkish actress Tûba Büyüküstün (Black Money Love, Rosso İstanbul), Academy Award®-nominated British actress Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting, The Serpent Queen) and critically acclaimed and veteran actor/producer Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii 5-0, Avatar: The Last Airbender).
The Tale Of Daye’s Family tells the story of an 11-year-old Nubian boy with albinism, who has a beautiful voice but faces adversity due to his unique appearance. Abandoned by his father and bullied by his peers, he dreams of following in the footsteps of his idol, singer and actor Mohamed Mounir. When he gets a chance to audition for ‘The Voice’, Daye and his family embark on a perilous journey from Aswan to Cairo.
The Opening Night Ceremony MCs were Danielle Rahme and Hakeem Jomah, hosted by Jomana-Al Rashid, Chairwoman Red Sea Foundation, Mohammed Asseri, CEO Red Sea Film Foundation and Shivani Pandya Malhotra, RSIFF Managing Director. The Gala also saw the presentation of three honourary awards – to award-winning Indian Cinema icon Aamir Khan, presented by Eva Longoria, Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt, presented by Michelle Yeoh, and award-winning Egyptian actor Mona Zaki, presented by Minnie Driver. A Special Recognition Award will also be presented to Vin Diesel, to acknowledge and celebrate his body of work and fan-favourite characters, presented by Michelle Rodriguez.
Jomana-Al Rashid, Chairwoman Red Sea Film Foundation said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming the global film community to our New Home of Film in Al Balad as we celebrate the beginning of the RSIFF. Tonight’s ceremony highlights captivating filmmaking from the Arab region in our opening night film, alongside the impact and work of our three trailblazing Honourees. Our Foundation’s key aim is to elevate filmmaking from across the Arab, African and Asian regions by providing support through our Fund, Souk and Labs, and a global stage with our festival, and we’re looking forward to diving in to our programme that will screen 122 projects from 85 countries in 49 languages from a host of exciting and talented filmmakers.”
Mohammed Asseri, Interim CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation added: “It’s been an incredible experience to kick off proceedings of our fourth edition, my first as acting CEO, with THE TALE OF DAYE’S FAMILY this evening. The film is a poignant and compelling result of a collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, encapsulating the power of connection and cultural exchange and underscoring our commitment to showcasing the best of Arab cinema. We’re looking forward to the upcoming ten days which will be packed with programming, talks, sessions and collaboration, as we celebrate filmmaking from around the world.”
The global film industry in attendance at the Festival’s Opening Ceremony from Saudi and GCC included stars and filmmakers such as: Abdulmohsen Alnemr, Elham Ali, Aseel Omran, Majed Samman, Khaled Sakr, and many more.
From the rest of the Arab world: Mona Zaki, Amina Khalil, Yousra, Zeina, Amir Al-Masry, Nadine Njeim and many more.
International talents included: Michelle Yeoh, Kareena Kapoor, Park Sung Hoon, Cynthia Erivo, Emily Blunt, Engin Altan Düyatan, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Georgina, Eva Longoria, Will Smith, Praya Lundberg and more.
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