Red Sea Fund 2026: Open Call For Film Funding For Asian And African Filmmakers (Grants Up To $500,000)
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Since Jan 6 to July 21, 2026 | Up to $500,000
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The film calendar of Asia and Africa has reached one of its most important days again. On January 6, 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Foundation opened its doors to new projects for the sixth year in a row. This call is more than a limited chance to receive financial support, and it can work like an accelerator for the forward movement of a new wave in Asian and African cinema.
Founded in 2021 alongside Saudi Arabia’s wider cultural reforms, the Red Sea Film Foundation has quickly positioned itself as a serious cinema hub in the region. Based in the historic city of Jeddah, it is not only a festival organizer; through the Fund, it has become a driving engine for independent film production across Asia and Africa. The foundation has supported 330 projects since its launch, and a glance at the routes taken by supported titles through major global festivals suggests that the label “supported by Red Sea Fund” is not a ceremonial badge, but a signal of backing for artists and works with real potential to travel and shine internationally.
With an annual budget of over $15 million, the Red Sea Fund has shaped its mission around emerging voices, bold storytelling, and independent cinema. In earlier years, the Fund focused on the Arab world and Africa, but since 2024 it has fully opened its support to Asian countries, widening the program’s reach. Its structure is designed so that projects at different stages of filmmaking can still find a suitable entry point, which is why the Fund divides its calendar into four time cycles.
1) Cycle One: Post-Production Fund
Dates: Jan 6 to Jan 27
In this section, the Fund looks for projects that have finished filming and have reached a 60-minute rough cut, but face financial obstacles in editing and post-production. Feature fiction, documentary, or feature animation projects over 60 minutes can apply in this cycle.
2) Cycle Two: Production Fund
Dates: Mar 6 to Mar 21
The most competitive part of the Fund is the Production Fund, where ideas are placed on the jury table and selected projects receive production and shooting grants. Alongside feature fiction and documentary, episodic series with episodes between 25 and 59 minutes are also accepted. Saudi filmmakers can also benefit here with short films under 60 minutes.
3) Cycle Three: Development Fund
Dates: May 6 to May 21
Many artists face barriers in the very first steps of creating a film, and some projects disappear early because there is no budget for research, expansion, and writing. The Red Sea Development Fund is built to support research, scriptwriting, and the development stage, helping prevent the loss of these works before they are even born. In this cycle, feature documentaries and episodic projects often have a stronger chance compared to other competitors.
4) Cycle Four: Post-Production Fund, Cycle 2
Dates: Jul 6 to Jul 21
This cycle is a second post-production opportunity in the second half of the year. It is designed for filmmakers who finish shooting in the first half of the year and cannot wait for the January call of the next year. It gives artists a chance to deliver a final cut in time for the winter festival season.
Red Sea Film Festival Fund Tracks
The Red Sea Film Festival includes three main tracks:
Feature-length documentary, fiction, and animation, where Asian and African filmmakers can apply for funding.
A series track, with special attention to episodic works of 25 to 59 minutes per episode.
A short film track, reserved for Saudi filmmakers, created to support young local Saudi talent.
Although the exact amount depends on each project, based on previous years the Fund can provide support up to $25,000 for development, up to $500,000 for production, and up to $100,000 for post-production.
Additional Notes And Rules
A few practical points matter here, and the Fund is clear about them. Most application materials must be in English, except for screenplays of Saudi projects. If you are applying in post-production, your film needs to be feature-length, with at least a 60-minute rough cut, and it must have English subtitles.
The paperwork is not just formality. Along with a logline and a detailed synopsis, the Fund asks for a Chain of Titles and a Financial Plan. In simple terms: show you truly control the rights, and show exactly where the money will go.
One condition is especially important and should be read twice. If your project receives support, you are required to offer your world premiere first to the Red Sea International Film Festival. It does not always change your strategy, but it can shape your festival path.
Think of this Fund as more than a transfer of money. For many filmmakers, it becomes a quiet partner that helps a project cross the hardest part of the journey: finishing. If you are serious about applying, start with the calendar, build your documents with care, and send a package that feels honest, precise, and ready to move.
Contact (Fund inquiries): fund@redseafilmfest.com
Official link: https://redseafilmfest.com/en/red-sea-fund/