The Red Sea Film Foundation (Red Sea FF) has announced the appointment of Fionnuala Halligan, outgoing Executive Editor of Screen International, as its new Director of International Programs, with a remit to work alongside Director of Arab Programs and Film Classics Antoine Khalife to shape and curate the burgeoning festival’s line-up.

Longtime Screen International Chief Critic Fionnuala has worked alongside Red Sea Film Festival on the past three editions of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, Screen’s partnership with the festival which highlights breakthrough talent from the region. A journalism graduate, Fionnuala began her career in media before taking on the role of film critic for the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she was based for 12 years. She has retained a long-lasting association with Asia and was a consultant to and international programmer for the Macao International Film Festival for five years (2016 – 2021) alongside her work at Screen International. She is a member of the London Film Critics’ Circle, BAFTA and the European Film Academy, and a top-rated critic on Rotten Tomatoes.

Shivani Pandya-Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, added: “Finn has been a collaborator and supporter of ours from the beginning, and she has both impeccable taste and a deep appreciation for cinema from across the world – particularly in Asia, a region we’ve increasingly championed as an organisation as our remit broadens. We are so thrilled to have her joining us to head up our international offering, which has been a cornerstone of our festival and continues to gain prestige and stature on the global circuit with each edition.”

Fionnuala Halligan, Director of International Programs at the Red Sea Film Festival, said: “It’s a privilege to be joining the Red Sea Film Foundation in this new role. As I complete my tenure at Screen, I look forward to fully taking on the role after the Cannes Film Festival and working closely with the team to further shape and expand the festival’s international programming.”

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.