By Variety | Created at 2024-11-21 10:06:21 | Updated at 2024-11-21 12:42:04
3 hours ago
Spike Lee will preside over the jury of the fourth edition of Saudi Arabia‘s Red Sea Film Festival.
“Looking towards our fourth edition, we’re honored to welcome the legendary Spike Lee as our president of jury for the festival this year,” said Jomana Al Rashid, chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, in an announcement on Thursday.
“Spike is a pioneering director whose iconic work has made a lasting impact on both film as a medium and culture at large,” she continued. “His energy, incisiveness and genuine championing of creativity and new voices makes him an ideal fit to lead our jury for this year — we look forward to him engaging with the burgeoning talent in our competition lineup.”
Spike Lee commented: “Having been lucky enough to experience first-hand the incredible filmmaking, atmosphere and creativity at the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2022, it’s a privilege to be returning this year as president of the jury. Alongside creating a melting pot for cultures to come together in celebration of our important art-form, it’s vital to continue to platform young and emerging filmmakers who are finding their voice in the industry, and it’s exciting to see first-time directors from across the Arab region, Asia and Africa as part of the competition lineup this year. I’m looking forward to diving in to the program and making what I’m sure will be some very tough decisions alongside the leading luminaries on the jury.”
The 16-title competition will feature standout movies from the Arab region, Asia and Africa.
The fest will open with the world premiere of Egyptian director Karim Shenawy’s musical drama “The Tale of Daye’s Family” and close with Michael Gracey’s profile of British pop star Robbie Williams, “Better Man,” which is screening as a gala event.
Lee will also participate in the festival’s In Conversation strand alongside other big names such as Viola Davis, who is being honored.
The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea’s eastern shore from Dec. 5-14 in Jeddah’s Old Town of Al Balad.
