Written by The Location Guide on May 10, 2022. Posted in General Interest

Mohammed Al Turki becomes CEO of Red Sea Film Festival Foundation

Mohammed Al Turki has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation. Al Turki joined the foundation - an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting Saudi Arabian film culture - in 2020. He will continue to champion emerging Saudi and Arab talent while, at the same time, spearhead the festival's growth.

“I am thrilled to be confirmed as CEO of the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation and proud to work with an incredibly talented team as we enter the next phase of our organisation," says Al Turki. "This is an exciting, transformative time where creativity plays a crucial role in the country’s cultural renaissance, with a thriving film and art scene and an extraordinary amount of young talent breaking new boundaries and producing content worthy of attention."

Al Turki's career as a producer spans over 12 years in both Hollywood and the Arab world. It is anticipated that his knowledge of the industry will help the festival become a crucial springboard for emerging Saudi, Arab and African talent, as well as an important world-class film festival on the international circuit. The inaugural edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival welcomed over 30,000 filmgoers - along with 3,155 industry professionals - for a 10-day celebration of the best of global and Arab cinema.

"We want to be at the forefront of navigating the changing cultural landscape, contributing to the global entertainment industry, and serving as a beacon for a new generation of creatives," he adds. "I look forward to welcoming returning and new guests to Jeddah for our second edition this December.”

The Kingdom's Red Sea Fund is designed to support film development, production, and post-production in Saudi Arabia, as well as improving access to - and realising the potential of - Arab content on the international stage. The fund has supported 97 projects to date, including The Red Sea Lodge in partnership with the TorinoFilmLab, which offers filmmakers a ten-month creative and professional training programme. More initiatives are scheduled for announcement in the coming months.