Work-in-Progress Program 2026 for Filmmakers with Awards of up to USD 210,000
Applicant criteria
- 15 - 58
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The Red Sea Souk, part of the Red Sea International Film Festival, announces the opening of applications for the Work-in-Progress 2026 program. The program is designed to support 8 feature-length films currently in post-production, helping them reach international distribution and connect with decision-makers in the film industry. The program will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 5 to 9, 2026, as part of the Red Sea Souk activities.
The program targets fiction films, animation films, and creative documentaries with a minimum duration of 60 minutes, submitted by directors of Arab, African, or Asian origin or nationality.
Responsibilities
- Fully participate in the Work-in-Progress program in Jeddah if the film is selected.
- Present excerpts from the film in the post-production stage to a professional audience only.
- Attend one-on-one meetings and networking events with industry professionals at the Red Sea Souk.
- Submit the required information and materials for the project book, meetings platform, and website before October 1, 2026.
- Submit the screening file in MOV format with English subtitles before November 20, 2026.
- Include the Red Sea Souk logo and the required statement in the film credits if selected, in accordance with the program’s conditions.
Benefits
- Selection of 8 feature-length films to participate in the program.
- Opportunity to compete for cash awards provided by the Red Sea Fund, with a total value of up to USD 210,000.
- Mentorship and guidance sessions with an editing expert to improve the film cut. The sessions will be held online from mid-October to mid-November 2026.
- Screening of excerpts from the selected films before a specialized professional audience, including producers, distributors, sales agents, programmers, funding bodies, and film industry companies.
- One-on-one meetings between the selected film teams and professionals participating in the Red Sea Souk from December 6 to 9, 2026.
- Coverage of travel and accommodation costs for two people from each selected film, namely the director and one producer, for up to 6 nights between December 4 and 10, 2026.
- Provision of an interpreter for selected participants who do not speak English.
Eligibility criteria
- The film must be in the post-production stage.
- The film must be feature-length, with a minimum duration of 60 minutes.
- The film must be a fiction film, animation film, or creative documentary.
- The director must meet one of the following conditions:
- Be of Saudi nationality or origin.
- Be of Arab nationality or origin.
- Be of African or Asian nationality.
- The film must not have been previously presented as a work-in-progress or otherwise at any festival or film market in the Middle East and North Africa region before the Red Sea Souk.
- English subtitles must be provided if the film is not in English.
- The director and producer must be available to participate in the full program in Jeddah.
- Priority is given to first or second feature films by directors, and to films that do not yet have international sales or international distribution.
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