Prince Naseem Boxing Biopic ‘Giant’ To Open Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival As 2025 Lineup Unveiled
Rowan Athale’s biopic Giant, starring Amir El Masry, as British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed, will open the fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival.
The news was announced at a press conference in the festival’s home city of Jeddah on Tuesday, as the event unveiled key sections for its upcoming edition, which will run from December 4 to 13.
The selections for the Red Sea Competition, focused on films from the Arab world, Africa and Asia, as well as for the Special Screenings, Arab Spectacular and International Spectacular sidebars were also unveiled. (Scroll down for full list).
Giant follows the rise of Hamed and his relationship with Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, charting his rags-to-riches underdog tale from his humble beginnings in Sheffield to becoming champion of the world.
It also tackles how he faced down racism and islamophobia that swept Britain in the 1980s and ’90s to become a global sporting icon.
The film explores the unlikely and tender relationship between Naz and Ingle, and the instrumental role that Ingle played on Naz’s road to success.
“Our selection of Giant as the opening film of the fifth edition embodies an artistic celebration of regional talents who have established their presence on the global film scene,” said Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said
“Through the story of an Arab world champion in boxing, the film portrays a journey of perseverance that inspires generations and reflects pride in identity.highlighting the growing presence of Arab stars in international productions alongside global names, reaffirming that Arab cinema today stands as a powerful force in the global film landscape.”
The selections for the Red Sea Competition, focused on the films from Arab world, Africa and China, as well as for the Special Screenings, Arab Spectacular and International Spectacular sidebars were also unveiled.
Red Sea: Competition
A SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD
Country: Lebanon, United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Cyril Aris
ALL THAT’S LEFT OF YOU
Country: Germany, Greece, Jordan, Cyprus, Palestine
Cherien Dabis
ALLAH IS NOT OBLIGED
Country: France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Canada, Saudi Arabia
Zaven Najjar
BARNI
Country: Somalia, Djibouti, United States of America (USA)
Mohammed Sheikh
BLACK RABBIT, WHITE RABBIT
Country: Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates
Shahram Mokri
HIJRA
Country: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, United Kingdom
Shahad Ameen
IRKALLA: GILGAMESH’S DREAM
Country: Iraq, United Kingdom, France, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji
LOST LAND
Country: Japan, France, Malaysia, Germany
Akio Fujimoto
NIGHTTIME SOUNDS
Country: China
Zhang Zhongchen
ROQIA
Country: France, Algeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Yanis Koussim
SINK
Country: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France
Zain Duraie
THE STORIES
Country: Egypt, France, Austria, Sweden
Abu Bakr Shawky
THE WORLD OF LOVE
Country: South Korea
Yoon Ga-Eun
TRUCK MAMA
Country: Kenya, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands
Zippy Nyaruri (Documentary)
TWO SEASONS, TWO STRANGERS
Country: Japan
Sho Miyake
YUNAN
Country: Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia
Ameer Fakher Eldin
Arab Spectacular
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Country: Saudi Arabia
Anas Ba-Tahaf
PALESTINE 36
Country: Palestine, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Annemarie Jacir
THE FAKENAPPING
Country: Saudi Arabia
Amine Lakhnech
UNIDENTIFIED
Country: Saudi Arabia
Haifaa Al Mansour
WEDDING REHEARSAL
Country: Egypt
Amira Diab
International Spectacular
COUTURE
Country: France, USA
Alice Winocour
DESERT WARRIOR
Country: Saudi Arabia
Rupert Wyatt
FARRUQUITO – A FLAMENCO DYNASTY
Country: Spain, USA
Santi Aguado, Reuben Atlas
SCARLET
Country: Japan
Mamoru Hosoda
THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN
Country: France
Olivier Assayas
Arab Spectacular
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Country: Saudi Arabia
Anas Ba-Tahaf
PALESTINE 36
Country: Palestine, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Annemarie Jacir
THE FAKENAPPING
Country: Saudi Arabia
Amine Lakhnech
UNIDENTIFIED
Country: Saudi Arabia
Haifaa Al Mansour
WEDDING REHEARSAL
Country: Egypt
Amira Diab
Special Screenings
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB
Country: Tunisia, France
Kaouther Ben Hania
SIRÂT
Country: Spain, France
Oliver Laxe
