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JEDDAH: The French Consulate in Jeddah hosted several young �������� creators for a preparatory meeting on Tuesday before the fifth 48Hr Film Challenge, which is a collaboration between the Red Sea Film Foundation, Alliance Francaise and Institut Francais.

The 48Hr Film Challenge was set up for young, aspiring citizens and foreigner resident in the country to create a short film in just two days, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday.

The evening brought together mentors, industry figures and participants to focus on storytelling and collaboration.

Zain Zedan, Red Sea Souk manager at the RSFF, said that interest in the challenge continues to grow. There were 70 applicants for 14 team spots this year.

“The quality of work this year was very high,” she told Arab News.

The challenge gives participants the chance to gain guidance from �������� and French mentors through workshops and roundtable sessions.

The program will culminate on Thursday with screenings and the announcement of two winners who will attend a residency in France in early 2026.

French Consul General Mohammed Nehad told Arab News the initiative was designed to nurture emerging filmmakers.

“We focus on emerging talent rather than seasoned professionals, as they represent the future and bring fresh vision and creativity, he said. “By pairing them with experienced mentors from France and ��������, we aim to foster collaboration and growth.”

“France has always been a faithful partner of �������� in developing the cinema industry, which is why we launched the 48Hr Film Challenge for young filmmakers,” he added.

Workshops covered acting, directing, production, distribution and post-production.

Actress, filmmaker and mentor Summer Shesha said she urged participants to “trust their instincts, be present and spontaneous,” and to use the 48-hour time limit as a creative spark rather than a constraint.

“I believe challenges like this mirror the real industry, where you have to be quick, decisive, collaborative, communicative, and resourceful, and graceful under pressure,” she said.

“We are in a hard industry that requires softness, flexibility, and a thick skin and braveness at the same time.”

Moroccan director and actor Ayoub Layoussif co-led the acting and directing workshops, guiding participants through masterclasses, exercises and improvisation.

He said the compressed timeline forces young filmmakers to adapt quickly, a skill essential for future careers.

“Challenges like this teach emerging filmmakers to adapt, stay focused, work with actors, producers, and technicians, pitch their movies, and above all, nurture creativity and passion for cinema,” he added.

For Camille Varenne, programmer at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the visit to �������� offered a chance to discover new voices.

“The passion of the participants grows, and the quality of the movies is getting better every year. It’s a privilege to be here, to meet new talents, to meet the new generation of Saudi filmmakers, and understand their context.

“This allows me to defend Saudi films in my festival because I can give colleagues the background of the movies and the filmmaker,” she said.

The festival selects just 160 titles out of around 8,000 submissions annually, she said.

Only two Saudi films have made the cut so far: “Irtidad” by Mohamed Al-Hamoud, founder of Telfaz11, and “Mera, Mera, Mera,” directed by Khaled Zidan, an alumni of the first 48-hour challenge.

“This festival is a bridge to the Saudi cinema industry, and for me, it’s important for young filmmakers to tell their own story, rooted in their culture, and project themselves internationally,” she added.

Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Française in Jeddah, described the event as a part of the group’s broader commitment to cultural exchange.

“Cinema holds a central place in French culture. It is a living art form, a mirror of society, and a powerful medium for dialogue between people.

“Hosting this event in Jeddah is a shared celebration of the power of storytelling and the richness of our interconnected imaginations,” he said.