
Red Sea Souk Opens Submissions for Film Projects & Works-in-Progress
Submissions are now open for the Red Sea Souk's Project Market and Work-in-Progress programmes, supporting Arab, African, and Asian filmmakers during the 2025 Red Sea International Film Festival.
The Red Sea Souk, the industry platform of the Red Sea International Film Festival, has opened submissions for its Project Market and Work-in-Progress programmes, taking place during the festival's fifth edition from December 4th to the 13th in Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district.
Running from December 6th to 10th, the Red Sea Souk gathers filmmakers, producers, investors, and industry professionals from around the world to support emerging voices and foster international co-productions.
The Project Market is accepting applications until June 20th. Eligible entries include narrative, animated, and documentary films in development or production, led by directors from Arab, African, or Asian countries, or of Arab origin. Selected projects will receive tailored mentorship and the chance to pitch directly to distributors, programmers, and producers.
The Work-in-Progress programme, open for submissions until July 29th, supports feature films in post-production. Participants will benefit from private industry screenings, expert feedback, and direct access to sales agents, festival representatives, and potential financiers.
Both initiatives aim to elevate talent from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia, while enhancing international visibility and collaboration. The Red Sea International Film Festival continues to grow as a regional hub for cinematic exchange and creative industry development.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily News Egypt
an hour ago
- Daily News Egypt
Being strategic partners, sky is limit for India-Egypt relations: Indian Ministry of External Affairs
New Delhi–In an era marked by rapidly shifting geopolitical dynamics, India is asserting an increasingly influential role—not only as an economic powerhouse but also as a trusted partner in international development and regional stability. Daily News Egypt, invited to a high-level media briefing held at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, joined a select group of journalists from North and Sub-Saharan Africa to gain exclusive insight into India's expanding strategic vision. At the heart of that vision lies a strengthening partnership with Egypt, a bilateral relationship that has recently witnessed unprecedented momentum and diversification. Alongside its deepening ties with Egypt, India is also reinforcing its age-old connections with the African continent through a distinct model of needs-based cooperation rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and inclusive development. A Flourishing Strategic Partnership with Egypt Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular & Diaspora) in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, described India and Egypt as strategic partners, highlighting 2023 as a landmark year in the trajectory of bilateral ties. He recalled the historic visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to India in January 2023, during which he served as the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations—an honour reserved for the closest of allies. Later that year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Cairo in June 2023, where he and President Al-Sisi signed a joint declaration to elevate relations to the level of a strategic partnership. President Al-Sisi returned to India again in September to participate in the G20 Summit hosted by New Delhi. 'This level of engagement is unprecedented and reflects a strong, mature, and strategic relationship between our two countries,' Chatterjee noted. 'Being strategic partners, you can imagine—the sky is the limit.' On the economic front, he reported that the current trade volume between India and Egypt stands at approximately $6bn. 'Sixbn is a promising figure, but we are not content. We aim to double this number in the coming years,' Chatterjee said, pointing to the considerable untapped potential in sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital technology. He further noted that Indian investments in Egypt are currently estimated at around $5bn, adding that both governments are exploring major developmental projects to further deepen bilateral economic cooperation. Shared Values and Solidarity Amid Global Crises Secretary Chatterjee also expressed deep appreciation for Egypt's solidarity in the wake of a terrorist attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir. He highlighted a phone call from President Al-Sisi to Prime Minister Modi, during which the Egyptian leader conveyed Egypt's full support and condolences. 'We were extremely grateful to all our friends and partners who stood with us in the fight against terrorism. Egypt's expression of solidarity was both timely and meaningful,' Chatterjee affirmed. Addressing more recent developments, Chatterjee commented on the Israeli strikes in Iran, saying that India had issued a formal statement expressing 'deep concern' over the escalation. He emphasised that India maintains 'very good relations with both Iran and Israel,' and continues to monitor the situation closely, particularly with regard to the safety of its large diaspora communities in both countries. 'We have advised all Indian nationals in these areas to exercise care and caution and stay safe,' he added. India's Position on Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Turning to the ongoing war in Gaza, Chatterjee reiterated India's principled stance in favour of peace, diplomacy, and humanitarian protection. 'India has consistently expressed concern over the loss of civilian lives and the urgent need to uphold humanitarian obligations,' he said. He underscored India's support for international efforts to deliver aid to civilians in Gaza, stating: 'India has provided humanitarian assistance both bilaterally and through UN channels. We have also called for a safe, sustained, and timely supply of humanitarian assistance to those affected.' On the broader conflict, he reaffirmed India's long-standing position. 'India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue—one that leads to the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, within recognised and secure borders,' Chatterjee stressed. 'We believe that dialogue and diplomacy remain the best way forward, and our leaders have remained in close contact on this matter,' he added. India's Enduring Commitment to Africa Moving beyond the Middle East, Chatterjee also detailed India's deep and enduring partnership with Africa, which he described as 'millennia-old,' rooted in 'deep historical linkages, cultural exchanges, and vibrant people-to-people contacts.' He highlighted the presence of a 3.5 million-strong Indian diaspora in Africa, describing it as a 'living bridge' that contributes significantly to social and economic development across the continent. India's engagement with Africa, he explained, is framed by Prime Minister Modi's '10 guiding principles,' which emphasise Africa's own development agenda. 'Our approach is needs-based, inclusive, and designed to empower local communities, build capacities, and ensure long-term sustainability,' he said, drawing a clear contrast with extractive or exploitative models of cooperation. Chatterjee noted that India has significantly expanded its diplomatic footprint in Africa in recent years, establishing 17 new embassies and high commissions, bringing the total number of Indian missions on the continent to 46. Investing in People, Infrastructure, and Innovation India has also made education and capacity-building cornerstones of its Africa engagement. Over the past decade, more than 37,000 African professionals have been trained in India through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) programmes. Flagship educational institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology in Zanzibar, the National Forensic Sciences University in Uganda, and Entrepreneurship Development Centres in Rwanda stand as tangible outcomes of this partnership. In addition, India has supported the establishment of numerous IT centres across the continent. On the infrastructure front, Chatterjee noted that India is currently involved in more than 200 development projects in Africa in sectors such as transportation, energy, agriculture, and water resource management. Over the last ten years alone, India has extended over $700 million in grant assistance to African countries. A Trusted Economic and Technological Partner Economically, India is now Africa's fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volumes nearing $100bn. Indian investments across the continent have reached approximately $75bn, spanning sectors including information technology, pharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing, mining, and banking. India, Chatterjee noted, was also the first developing country to offer duty-free access to exports from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through its Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme, introduced in 2008. He expressed optimism about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a 'game-changer' with immense potential to integrate African economies more fully into the global trade system. India, he said, continues to advocate for stronger African representation in international institutions and supports Africa's participation in multilateral initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Global Biofuel Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the International Big Cat Alliance. 'As a trusted technology partner, India is ready to share its digital innovations like India Stack,' Chatterjee stated, citing examples of African nations already utilising UPI-based digital payments and national ID systems to promote financial inclusion. He added that India is also collaborating on the use of space technologies for precision agriculture, weather forecasting, and disaster preparedness. India's Global Ambition Rooted in Shared Growth In closing, Chatterjee reflected on India's internal transformation, noting its rise to become 'the world's fourth-largest economy,' driven by inclusive growth and digital innovation. From domestic development to global partnerships, he said, India remains guided by the ancient ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—'The world is one family.'


Daily News Egypt
8 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt-Türkiye trade exchange approaches $9bn in 2024: FM Abdelatty
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Turkish investments in Egypt, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty met with a group of Turkish business leaders in Istanbul on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's ministerial meeting. During the meeting, Abdelatty underscored the growing economic ties between Egypt and Turkey, highlighting the significant progress in trade and investment cooperation. He announced that bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly $9bn in 2024, with Turkey emerging as a key destination for Egyptian exports. Conversely, Egypt has become one of the leading African markets for Turkish goods. The Minister stressed the need for collaborative efforts from both governments and private sector stakeholders to achieve the target of raising bilateral trade to $15bn—a goal agreed upon by the political leaderships of both countries to deepen economic integration and serve shared interests. Abdelatty highlighted the importance of the Egypt-Türkiye free trade agreement, in force since 2005, as a key driver of trade growth. He also noted the potential to expand its scope and remove remaining barriers to trade to further enhance economic cooperation. Welcoming the rising volume of Turkish investments in Egypt, Abdelatty expressed Egypt's commitment to attracting more Turkish capital by leveraging its extensive network of trade agreements and the investor-friendly environment of the Suez Canal Economic Zone. He also pointed to the incentives and facilities available to foreign investors, affirming the government's resolve to address any challenges facing Turkish businesses. In this context, he cited the recent decision by the Egyptian Prime Minister to establish a dedicated unit to support Turkish investments and ensure smooth business operations in the country.


Daily News Egypt
8 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Union of Arab Banks names Hassan Abdalla ‘Governor of Year 2025'
Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), has been named 'Governor of the Year 2025' by the Union of Arab Banks. The award was presented during a high-profile ceremony in Paris, on the sidelines of the Arab International Banking Summit, held under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron. The award recognises Abdalla's significant contributions to maintaining the stability of Egypt's banking sector, his prudent management of monetary policy, and his active support for economic reform. It also reflects the increasingly prominent status of the Egyptian banking system—both regionally and internationally—and its key role in advancing economic growth and supporting the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Union of Arab Banks bestows this honour annually on distinguished Arab banking leaders whose achievements have made a lasting impact on the banking sector at both national and regional levels. Abdalla was unanimously selected by the Union's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from 20 Arab countries, during its meeting in December last year. Headquartered in Beirut, the Union of Arab Banks operates as a key regional institution and is a member of the Higher Coordination Committee for Joint Arab Action within the League of Arab States. Its mission is to strengthen ties among Arab banks, foster cooperation, coordinate activities, and promote a shared Arab identity in the financial sector. The Union currently includes over 360 financial and banking institutions across 20 Arab countries, as well as in Europe, Africa, and Turkey. It also counts 16 Arab central banks as observers, alongside several national banking associations. The Union's influence on the regional and global stage has expanded in recent years. Since 2019, it has held special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York and Geneva and serves as a supporting member of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) in Geneva.