News
UPDATED DECEMBER 31: The list below highlights noteworthy Southeast Asian film projects that were completed and premiered at international film festivals in 2025. Nationality of the director is in brackets after their names, but nationality of the projects is harder to determine as most are multi-territory co-productions. AMOEBA Dir: Siyou
Africa
Industry execs and filmmakers, including Nigerian director-producer CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi, discussed how African cinema is evolving through collaboration, as well as some of the challenges it faces, on a Souk Talks panel at Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF). Also speaking on the panel were Durban FilmMart (DFM) director Magdalene
Africa
Minnesota-based Somali filmmaker Mohammed Sheikh has just held the world premiere for his debut feature, Barni, which he filmed in Djibouti, at Red Sea International Film Festival. Born in the Kebribeyah refugee camp in Ethiopia – where his parents fled during the Somali Civil War – Sheikh moved to the US with
Southeast Asia
Funded by micro financing platform CARD MRI, the initiative aims to support storytellers from rural and working-class communities.
Korea & Japan
The Silver Yusr was awarded to 'All That’s Left Of You' from Cherien Dabis, while the Jury Prize went to 'Hijra' from Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen.
Middle East
Box office growth in two MENA markets dominated discussions during the Souk Talks at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival. Saudi’s box office picked up this year, after a slump in 2024, due to a diverse range of local and international titles. Meanwhile, the Egyptian market is
Africa
If you’ve ever struggled in your career as a woman in a man’s world, spare a thought for Evaline Wambua Mutuku, the subject of Zippy Nyaruri’s documentary Truck Mama, whose job used to involve driving articulated lorries across East Africa, sometimes into war-torn countries like South Sudan.
Africa
'About Love & September Laws' from Sudan's Mohamed Kordofani was also among the most awarded projects.
News
India's Kerala Film Market has selected 25 projects across two sections, Project Market and Curators’ Pick, for its 2025 edition.
News
US-based outfit is also co-producing 'Lost And Found', starring Shawn Thia, and Taiwanese comedy 'A Controversial Entertainer'.
Middle East
Netflix’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros poses a huge potential threat to global theatrical infrastructure, but on the other hand may provide opportunities for independent filmmakers, said speakers on a Red Sea Souk panel entitled 'Futureproofing Our Industry'. Gaetan Bruel, president of French film agency CNC, made
Southeast Asia
Sri Lanka's 'Riverstone' picked up two awards, while Thailand's 'A Useful Ghost' was awarded a Special Mention.