Jeddah: The Red Sea Film Foundation announced in a press release today the jury panel for the upcoming fifth edition of the 48-Hour Film Challenge, featuring Saudi presenter and actor Yasser Al Saggaf, Lebanese actress and director Carmen Bsaibes, and French-Moroccan filmmaker and actor Ayoub Layoussifi-each celebrated for their diverse contributions to Arab and international cinema, as well as their distinctive experiences in both directing and acting.
According to Saudi Press Agency, their combined expertise will bring both depth and objectivity to the evaluation process, offering constructive feedback to guide the filmmakers' development.
Organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, the Embassy of France in Saudi Arabia, Alliance Fran§aise, and the Centre for French Culture, the initiative is dedicated to empowering emerging Saudi filmmakers through a time-bound creative challenge built around collaboration and innovation.
The 14 shortlisted teams participated in an intensive preparatory workshop on July 11-12, 2025, led by acclaimed industry experts, preparing them for the fast-paced challenge of producing a short film from concept to final cut in just 48 hours.
In September, all completed films will be screened during two professional days dedicated to industry engagement and feedback. Participants will explore their final works alongside professionals from Saudi Arabia and France through focused workshops and tailored one-on-one mentorship sessions.
Two winning teams will be selected by the jury based on creativity, technical execution, and storytelling impact. The winning team leaders will receive an exclusive filmmaking residency in France in 2026, and their films will be screened at the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2025.
Now in its fifth year, the 48-Hour Film Challenge has established itself as a cornerstone of talent discovery in the Kingdom's independent cinema scene. Over the past editions, it has supported numerous young filmmakers-many of whom have gone on to develop new projects, screen their work at film festivals, and take meaningful steps in their professional cinematic journeys.