North African Films Shine at the Red Sea International Film Festival
The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, held in historic Jeddah from December 4 to 13, 2025, showcases a prominent presence of films from North African countries, reflecting the diversity of cinematic voices in the region.
Among the featured films is “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” directed by Tunisian Oscar-nominee Kaouther Ben Hania, along with two short films from Morocco (“With the Wind” and “Where to, Maryam!”) and two from Algeria (“Sardine” and “Ruqya”).
The Moroccan film “With the Wind” tells the story of an unexpected encounter that stirs long-buried emotions, while “Where to, Maryam!” follows a couple trying to reconnect after a period of estrangement, conveying deep and moving family drama.
The Algerian films “Sardine” and “Ruqya” explore complex family relationships, with the former focusing on a marine biology engineer struggling to leave her country despite having a visa, and the latter addressing the aftermath of a tragic car accident affecting a character who lost her memory and her ties to family and surroundings, blending reality with symbolic and mysterious elements.
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” will be screened for the first time in Saudi Arabia following its global success. It presents a tragic drama about the six-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, depicting her last hours during the war on Gaza, and mixes documentary and drama to deliver a powerful humanitarian message about the conflict and its consequences for civilians.
The presence of these films is a clear indicator of the strength of Maghreb cinema in addressing profound social and humanitarian issues and enhancing its status on the international stage through prestigious global festivals.
