Saudi Films Shine at Cannes 2026 with Red Sea Film Support
DUBAI — The 79th Cannes Film Festival has unveiled its official selection, and three films backed by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film initiative have made the cut, marking another significant presence for the Kingdom on the world’s most prestigious cinema stage.
Competition Lineup
In the main Competition section, Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi returns to Cannes with “Parallel Tales” (also known as “Histoires Paralleles”). The French-language drama, a remake of the late Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “Dekalog VI,” boasts an all-star cast including Isabelle Huppert, Virginie Efira, Vincent Cassel, Pierre Niney, Adam Bessa and Catherine Deneuve.
Un Certain Regard
Two Red Sea-supported films will screen in the Un Certain Regard sidebar:
- “Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep” by German-born Palestinian filmmaker Rakan Mayasi
- “Benimana” by Rwandan director Marie-Clementine Dusabejambo
Festival Highlights
The 2026 edition opens on May 12 with Pierre Salvadori’s 1920s-set “La Venus electrique” (“The Electric Kiss”), following an opening ceremony hosted by actress Eye Haidara. John Travolta’s directorial debut, “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” will premiere in the Cannes Premiere Selection.
The strong Saudi presence continues the Kingdom’s growing investment in international cinema through the Red Sea Film Foundation, which has rapidly become a major force in global film financing.
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