Media professional Shivani Pandya Malhotra, the force behind putting the Dubai International Film Festival on the global map, has now taken on a new challenge in Saudi Arabia. She has moved base to Jeddah to spearhead the ambitious Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF), now in its fifth year. In an exclusive conversation, she shares her journey and her vision to transform the festival into a December destination for cinephiles worldwide.
Building a New Cinema Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
Malhotra's journey into the heart of Saudi Arabia's cultural transformation began after her 14-year tenure with the Dubai International Film Festival, which she helped launch in 2004. When Saudi Arabia opened its doors to the film and entertainment sector around 2017-18, she was approached to lay the groundwork for the Red Sea Foundation and its flagship festival. For her, it presented a thrilling opportunity: to draw audiences away from isolated internet viewing back into the collective, shared experience of cinema theatres.
The core mission extends beyond just screening films. The idea is to expose people here to films they would ordinarily not have heard about, Malhotra emphasizes, noting that audience involvement is key. The foundation is actively expanding its outreach into schools and universities to promote cinema literacy, a crucial step for developing a sustainable local industry. This initiative isn't solely focused on creating actors and directors but aims to strategically address all the myriad sectors involved in filmmaking.
Bollywood's Star-Studded Role and Deepening Cultural Ties
The festival's landscape differs significantly from her Dubai experience. While Dubai's audience was 90% expatriate, Jeddah's is predominantly local. Malhotra expresses pride that the films produced and supported by the festival have found success at the local box office, alleviating the typical pressure to recover costs from outside territories.
A significant and glittering aspect of RSIFF is the substantial presence of Bollywood. Indian cinema has always been hugely popular with audiences across the Arab world, a legacy the festival proudly celebrates. Each edition consciously brings Indian films and talent to Jeddah, nurturing an organic fandom. The 2025 edition featured iconic moments, including welcoming veteran actress Rekha for the international premiere of the restored classic Umrao Jaan (1981). The festival's 'In Conversation With' series also hosted stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Salman Khan, Kriti Sanon, and Alia Bhatt, allowing audiences to connect with their personal sides.
Malhotra sees these efforts as playing a vital role in strengthening the growing cultural connection between India and the Arab world, a bond she intends to deepen with each passing year.
Oscar Nominations and the Vision for a Global Hub
Looking at the festival's impact, Malhotra points to a remarkable achievement: four films supported by the Red Sea Foundation have earned Oscar nominations. These films are The Voice Of Hind Rajab, Palestine 36, All That's Left Of You, and The President's Cake.
When asked about the future, her vision is clear and ambitious. Five years from now, she hopes to see continued growth, with the Red Sea Foundation, its film market (the souk), and the festival itself established as the definitive global hub for quality cinema, particularly from the Arab world, Asia, and Africa. Her work in Jeddah is not just about organizing an annual event but about building a lasting legacy for film culture in a rapidly evolving region.
