The Red Sea International Film Festival is currently underway in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah for its fourth year. The festival attracts audiences eager to discover unique stories from around the world.
This year, more than 120 films from 81 countries will be screened, with 16 films competing in the feature film category. Among the films making their festival premiere is “My Driver and I,” a Sudanese drama about the bond between a driver and a young Saudi woman he drives.
The film’s lead actor, Mustafa Shehata, describes the plot as deeply personal and emotional. “The film is about an immigrant taxi driver who treats a young female customer like his own daughter. He also has a daughter in his home country of Sudan and hasn’t been home for a long time,” he explains.
Salma and Gamar are very different in age and culture, but over the decade he has driven her every day, they have formed a special bond. “It’s about the trust the girl’s parents have in the driver, while the father is away for work and the mother is busy,” he adds.
Saudi Arabia is looking to expand its influence in film, sports and entertainment, and since launching the festival in 2021, it has attracted major global talent. This year, the event will welcome Oscar winners such as Viola Davis and Spike Lee, alongside Bollywood icons such as Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, cementing its growing reputation on the international film scene.
However, some critics suggest that events like the festival aim to distract from concerns about the country’s human rights record. The festival runs until December 14.
The event provides a unique platform for filmmakers from around the world to showcase their projects and share compelling stories. It also helps to bridge cultures, spark discussions and celebrate diversity through the art of film.