Saudi Arabia Cancels Red Sea Film Festival Amid Regional Wars

The Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia has been cancelled due to logistical considerations related to regional wars disrupting Riyadh's efforts to promote itself as a global entertainment and tourism hub.

The festival was scheduled to run from 3-12 December, but organizers announced it would return in the final quarter of 2027 with a 'renewed vision' and program celebrating cinema from Saudi Arabia and around the world.

This is the second major international event lost by Saudi Arabia this year, following the cancellation of the Formula One Grand Prix due to the Israeli-US war on Iran.

The Red Sea Film Festival was established in 2019 as part of Riyadh's push to build an international film and television industry and reduce its economy's dependence on oil.