As an ardent admirer of the dynamic world of cinema and its vibrant ecosystem, I find myself utterly captivated by the phenomenal journey of the Red Sea Souk. In just four short years, it has ascended to the pinnacle as the largest film market in the Arab world, a testament to the tireless efforts of visionaries like Holly Daniel and her team.
Over a span of four years, the Red Sea Souk has grown to be the most significant film market across the Arab region. This bustling hub for cinematics is associated with the Red Sea Film Festival and is backed by the Red Sea Film Foundation. This year’s industrial program at the Souk will extend over five days, commencing from December 7th and concluding on the 11th, within the historic district of Al Balad in Jeddah, where the festival has found its new base.
I had a conversation with EbMaster prior to the festival, and as the new director of Souk, I expressed our team’s intention to provide a more comprehensive experience across our various sections this year. This involved designing more defined routes for attendees to explore the diverse activities at the Souk, such as the projects undertaken by Red Sea Labs, Souk Talks, Souk Talents, and innovative initiatives like Inspire! Labs. These new events will cater to filmmakers with distinctive viewpoints in film, episodic storytelling, animation, and gaming, aiming to inspire and empower them.
This year’s Souk, apart from the usual industry happenings, boasts a vast marketplace housing 142 exhibitors hailing from 32 different countries. A significant shift in 2024 involves extending submission invitations to Asia for the first time, resulting in an impressive 28% of total submissions originating from that region during its debut year. Earlier, only projects from Africa and the Arab world were eligible to submit.
Daniel expressed that our geographical location makes us a wonderful blend of diverse talent, initiatives, concepts, and connections from various continents. She pointed out the astounding number of submissions this year, considering the festival has just begun its expansion into Asia. “It’s truly remarkable,” she said. “We had a more subtle introduction to the region this year, so we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the response. We have some exceptional projects in our selection.
Daniel mentions that his team is actively exploring ways to involve a broader range of industries in Asia, particularly since the Red Sea Fund plans to extend its scope to the continent next year. In essence, the entire organization aims to collaborate on opportunities presented by Asia.
A notable aspect of this year’s Souk is the return of numerous filmmakers who have previously showcased their films at the festival or received funding and industry support. For example, Asmae Al Moudir, whose Red Sea Fund-supported “The Mother of All Lies” earned her the best director award at last year’s Un Certain Regard, is back this time with “Holy Cow”. Similarly, Sofia Alaoui, winner of Sundance for “Animalia”, is in Jeddah with her new project “Tarfaya”.
Additionally in the marketplace’s array, you’ll find projects by filmmakers such as Cj ‘Fiery’ Obasi, whose “Mami Wata” caused a stir at Sundance the previous year; “Tahmina,” from the director of “Kabul, City in the Wind,” Aboozar Amini; and “Farouk,” the newest offering from Kurdish director Halkawt Mustafa, whose documentary “Hiding Saddam Hussein” was screened at Red Sea Festival last year.
At Souk Talks, a series of panel discussions taking place in the market, both local and global figures will join forces. Notable speakers include Glen Basner from Film Nation, Seb Shorr of Fremantle, Vincent Maraval of Goodfellas, and Diana Williams from Kinetic. The topics covered will span from advancements in AI technology to in-depth conversations about specific territories like France and South Korea.
Daniel stated, “In our discussions, we partnered with CAA, however, the selection process was handled by us. Our goal was to cater to the diverse audience at Souk while maintaining a balanced mix of local and global perspectives. We believed that the most captivating approach for these dialogues would be to explore how the industry operates in various territories, so we organized country-specific sessions, but also included panels on regional opportunities and the establishment of co-productions.
2021’s Marketplace (Souk) is broadening its influence within the local community by strengthening partnerships with universities and targeting the upcoming generation of talented individuals, not just in filmmaking but also related areas like film critique. For the first time this year, Souk will launch a program for Young Critics. Additionally, notable figures such as Andrew Garfield will visit Jeddah to engage with aspiring filmmakers and movie enthusiasts.
Asked about what a successful first edition as Souk director would entail, Daniel enthusiastically responds that she would “hope to witness some business transactions taking place.” She further adds, “It’s important for our screenings to establish the connections they seek and, undoubtedly, we aim for the projects in the market to find new collaborators and address their requirements. I believe we have a fantastic lineup, and we are already contemplating ways to enhance it next year.
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2024-12-02 20:17