Red Sea International Film Festival Reveals Arab Short Film Lineup for 2024

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)
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Red Sea International Film Festival Reveals Arab Short Film Lineup for 2024

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has announced the lineup of Arab short films participating in the Red Sea Shorts Competition. These films will be screened from December 5 to 14 in Jeddah.

A total of 15 short films have been selected, featuring talent from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Jordan, and Lebanon.
The competition aims to provide a platform for both emerging and established local and regional talents to showcase their creativity on an international stage, connecting them with global audiences and industry experts.
RSIFF Director of Arab Programs and Film Classics Antoine Khalife said that this year's program features great films and talents that mirror the sophistication and maturity of the film and entertainment landscape in the region. He highlighted that filmmakers have conveyed powerful messages through an innovative cinematic approach, addressing a range of topics including self-discovery, identity, and mental health.
So far, RSIFF has screened more than 120 Arab and Saudi films between 2021 and 2023.



UNCCD Executive Secretary Praises Saudi Efforts to Combat Desertification

The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
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UNCCD Executive Secretary Praises Saudi Efforts to Combat Desertification

The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA

The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Ibrahim Thiaw, highlighted that the world is currently facing a critical situation. The increasing frequency and unpredictability of droughts present significant challenges to agricultural and food systems in affected countries. He emphasized that land restoration is one of the most effective tools for tackling these global challenges.
During his speech at the opening plenary session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) Monday in Riyadh, he praised Saudi Arabia for its commitment to combating drought and promoting land restoration through the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI).
The ongoing conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges.

On its first day, three major international initiatives were announced, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Initiative.

This initiative aims to mobilize international action to improve preparedness for drought, transitioning the global response from emergency crisis management and post-crisis relief to a proactive approach centered on early prevention and preparedness before disasters occur.
Additionally, the International Drought Observatory and the Global Drought Atlas were launched, both designed to enhance monitoring and tracking efforts, implement preventive measures, and raise awareness among various stakeholders about drought issues worldwide.
On the eve of the multi-stakeholder talks in Riyadh, the UNCCD released a new report that underscores the escalating global emergency caused by land degradation.

The report highlights the damage caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, which are responsible for 80% of deforestation and account for 70% of freshwater consumption. Furthermore, 23% of greenhouse gas emissions stem from agriculture, forestry, and land use.
According to the latest UNCCD report, 46% of the world's land area is classified as arid. COP16 in Riyadh, taking place from December 2 to 13, is the largest session of the Conference of the Parties to date.

It marks the introduction of a green zone, an innovative concept introduced by the Kingdom to mobilize multilateral action and provide necessary funding for initiatives aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands.