The fourth Red Sea International Film Festival officially kicked off, with A-list stars and international directors gathering in the old town of Al Balad, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second largest city, for an absolutely captivating opening ceremony.
Emily Blunt, Cynthia Erivo, Eva Longoria, Michelle Young, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Squidward Game Breaker, in flowing blue sky gowns and capes Hoyeon, Michelle Rodriguez, Bollywood star Aamir Khan, competition jury president Spike Lee, action stars Will Smith and Vin Diesel, Kareena Kapoor, Saudi actor Khalid · Yesram and Daniel Kim were among the global stars who attended Thursday night’s opening night in lavish outfits.
Rodriguez brought former Red Sea Film Foundation executive Mohamed Al Turki to talk to a group of reporters on the red carpet, mentioning possible future projects.
“I’m watching an independent film. It’s about [writer-director-producer] Ben Younger [Boiler Room],” she said in response to a question. “He pitched me a script about a girl on a plane that I fell in love with and I thought it was really funny. It’s a real independent film, so it’s going to be different.
For others, including Lee and Douglas, Thursday’s red carpet was a chance to reconnect.
Additionally, a fashion statement was made. For example, outfits by the likes of Blunt, Erivo and Yeoh earned rave reviews from red carpet onlookers.
Michelle Yeoh attends the opening ceremony of the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on December 5, 2024.
Darren Arthur/Getty Images
Many stars received a warm welcome. Among them was unexpected opening-night attendee Diesel, who lived up to his reputation as fast but not angry, rushing across the carpet and smiling and giving a thumbs-up in response to his name being called.
The same goes for Smith, who along with the likes of Johnny Depp was a key figure at last year’s RSIFF, and he walked the 2023 opening night carpet to talk about the sequel i am legend During a conversation session. He also shared insights into past “mistakes,” including the infamous Oscar slap, as well as his mindset.
Blunt appeared earlier in the day at a packed conversation event as part of the festival, and Khan received the Red Sea Honors Award at the opening night. The honor is given to “outstanding film figures and icons who have contributed to shaping the history of film as we know it today and immortalizing it in the hearts of the public.”
Following the opening video, RSIFF attendees enjoyed food and musical entertainment by DJs Loush, Hamaki and Nooriyah at the official opening party.
