The Red Sea Film Foundation (Red Sea FF) has appointed Saudi film industry pioneer and founder of CineWaves Faisal Baltyuor as CEO, taking over from Acting CEO Mohammed Asseri effective June 1st, 2025.
Faisal is a driving force in the Saudi film industry, holding posts as the first head of Ithra Cinema and the first CEO of the Saudi Film Council, and then founding and running Saudi distributor CineWaves Films, one of the fastest growing distribution companies in Saudi Arabia as well as holding the post of CEO at Muvi Studios. He also recently opened Riyadh’s first arthouse cinema – Cinehouse – a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing film ecosystem.
A producer for over two decades, Faisal has recently executive produced The Perfect Candidate, which was in official selection at the Venice International Film Festival, and the Saudi box office phenomenon Sattar. He is also a producer on the Saudi Netflix Original From the Ashes, which ranked among the top 10 most-watched films across 40 countries. Faisal co-produced Mohamed Kordofani’s Goodbye Julia, which won the Prix de la Liberté at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023.
Jomana Al-Rashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “From its inception, the Red Sea Film Foundation has been driven by a singular mission: to ignite a cinematic renaissance across Saudi Arabia and the broader region. By elevating a new generation of talent, creativity, and stories from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia, we are harnessing the power of cinema to bridge cultures and inspire innovation. Today, we are delighted to welcome Faisal to this transformative journey. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to unlocking the boundless potential of emerging talent will fuel not only artistic excellence but also the sustainable growth of our industry. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Mohammed Asseri for his steadfast leadership and pivotal contributions during his tenure as Acting CEO.”
Commenting on his new role, Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “I am deeply honoured to assume the position of CEO at the Red Sea Film Foundation, a leading institution at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s cultural and cinematic evolution. In a remarkably short time, the Foundation has secured its place on the global festival map, and we are committed to building on this success. Through our diverse programmes, we will continue to support a thriving film industry both locally and internationally, in line with the ambitions of Vision 2030, which places the creative sector at the heart of national development.”
Now in its fifth edition, the Red Sea International Film Festival has showcased over 520 films from 85 countries and spotlighted more than 130 Saudi titles — affirming its role in championing local voices and global exchange. The upcoming edition will run from 4–13 December 2025 in the historic district of Al Balad, Jeddah.
