Kaleem Aftab Exits International Programming Chief Role at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival

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As a cinephile, I’ve recently taken a step back from my role as the Director of International Programming at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, after an exciting and enriching four-year journey.

A film critic based in London played a crucial role in the launch of the swiftly expanding event held along Jeddah’s eastern coastline on the Red Sea. This event aspires to be the premier festival and marketplace in the region.

In his position, Aftab dared to venture beyond limits by creating unfiltered films from the West, Asia, and Africa, in a nation that had prohibited cinema due to religious issues until 2017. Moreover, he fulfilled his aspiration to have Spike Lee, whose biography Aftab has penned, lead the festival’s primary jury last year.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of being an integral member of the Red Sea team for the last four years. Together, we’ve crafted a globally recognized program that has positioned the Red Sea International Film Festival as a must-visit event on the festival circuit. Now, as I embark on new ventures, the fest shares their well-wishes, acknowledging my role in our shared journey so far.

Later on, I’ll be passing along more details about our upcoming fifth edition of the festival and the global planning team.

The Red Sea festival didn’t offer an explanation for Aftab’s exit, which appears to be due to family matters. However, Antoine Khalife continues to serve as the director of the festival’s Arab program.

The fifth edition of the Red Sea fest will run Dec. 4-13.

Screen International was the first to report this news.

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2025-03-13 21:50