Red Sea Film Foundation to Host Screenings as Part of 'Directors' Program'

The screenings will take place at Red Sea Mall cinemas in Jeddah from April 30 to May 3
The screenings will take place at Red Sea Mall cinemas in Jeddah from April 30 to May 3
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Red Sea Film Foundation to Host Screenings as Part of 'Directors' Program'

The screenings will take place at Red Sea Mall cinemas in Jeddah from April 30 to May 3
The screenings will take place at Red Sea Mall cinemas in Jeddah from April 30 to May 3

The Red Sea Film Foundation will organize a special film screening series showcasing works by acclaimed international directors, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the local cinema scene by hosting prominent figures in global filmmaking.
The screenings will take place at Red Sea Mall cinemas in Jeddah from April 30 to May 3.
The screening series is held alongside the "Directors' Program," organized by the foundation, and features emerging filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, and Asia and Africa. The program offers an intensive learning journey with workshops and orientation sessions on filmmaking.
The film screenings are part of the "Documentary Film Days" program, organized by the Red Sea Film Foundation and Art Jameel in Jeddah to support emerging cinematic talents.
The initiative is part of the foundation's broader efforts to advance the film industry locally and regionally and to bring international expertise to empower emerging filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, Asia, and Africa.



Australian Man Dies from Bat Bite

Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File
Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File
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Australian Man Dies from Bat Bite

Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File
Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File

An Australian man has died from an "extremely rare" rabies-like infection transmitted by a bat bite, health officials said Thursday.

The man in his 50s was bitten by a bat carrying Australian bat lyssavirus several months ago, the health service in New South Wales said.

"We express our sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss," NSW Health said in a statement.

"While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it."

The man from northern New South Wales, who has not been identified, was this week listed as being in a "critical condition" in hospital, said AFP.

The virus -- a close relative to rabies, which does not exist in Australia -- is transmitted when bat saliva enters the human body through a bite or scratch.

First symptoms can take days or years to appear.

Early signs of the disease are flu-like -- a headache, fever and fatigue, the health service said.

The victim's condition rapidly deteriorates, leading to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death.

There were only three previous cases of human infection by Australian bat lyssavirus since it was first identified in 1996 -- all of them fatal.

People should avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus, the New South Wales health service said.

"If you or someone you know is bitten or scratched by a bat, you need to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action," it said.

"Patients then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine."

The virus has been found in species of flying foxes and insect-eating microbats, NSW Health said.

The type of bat involved in the latest fatality has not been identified.