The Red Sea Film Foundation is beginning a new and exciting chapter with the appointment of Faisal Baltyuor as CEO, starting June 1, 2025. A respected name in the Saudi film industry, Faisal takes over from Acting CEO Mohammed Asseri, who helped lead the foundation through a crucial stage of its growth.
This move reflects the foundation’s continued commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s film sector and supporting creative talent across the country and region.
A Leader with Strong Roots in Film
Faisal Baltyuor brings with him more than two decades of experience in the film world. He played a key role in shaping the Saudi film landscape as the first head of Ithra Cinema and first CEO of the Saudi Film Council. In 2020, he founded CineWaves Films, which quickly became one of Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing distribution companies.
Most recently, he led Muvi Studios and opened Riyadh’s first arthouse cinema, Cinehouse, marking a major step forward in developing diverse cinema experiences in the Kingdom.
His work as a producer has also gained international attention. He executive produced The Perfect Candidate, which screened at the Venice International Film Festival, and the Saudi hit Sattar. He also produced From the Ashes, a Saudi Netflix Original that was among the top 10 most-watched films across 40 countries. In 2023, he co-produced Goodbye Julia, which received the Prix de la Liberté at the Cannes Film Festival.
Welcoming a New Era of Growth
Jomana Al-Rashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, welcomed Faisal to the role with confidence in his leadership.
“From the very beginning, the Red Sea Film Foundation has aimed to support a new generation of stories and storytellers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa, and Asia,” she said. “We are thrilled to welcome Faisal, whose experience and vision will help us move forward and continue building a strong and creative film industry.”
She also extended her appreciation to Mohammed Asseri for his steady leadership during his time as Acting CEO.
A Clear Vision for the Future
Faisal Baltyuor shared his thoughts on taking on the new role:
“I’m honored to become the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, which has already achieved so much in a short time. We are committed to growing the film industry in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which places creativity and culture at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s development.”
He added that the foundation will continue to support both local and international talent through its wide range of programs and partnerships.
Red Sea International Film Festival Returns This December
The Red Sea Film Foundation is known globally for organizing the Red Sea International Film Festival, one of the region’s most anticipated cinema events. Now preparing for its fifth edition, the festival has already showcased over 520 films from 85 countries, including more than 130 Saudi titles.
This year’s edition will take place from December 4 to 13, 2025, in Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district. It will continue to serve as a platform for emerging and established filmmakers, while also encouraging collaboration between Saudi and global film communities.
What This Means for the Industry
Faisal Baltyuor’s appointment is an exciting step forward for the Red Sea Film Foundation. His deep knowledge of the industry and track record of supporting local talent make him a strong choice to lead the foundation into its next stage of growth.
With fresh leadership, a clear mission, and an ongoing commitment to creative storytelling, the Red Sea Film Foundation is set to play an even greater role in shaping the future of Saudi cinema.
Check it out
With so much happening across the Kingdom, there’s always something new to discover, like the renowned Slava’s Snowshow, coming to Riyadh this year. Find out all about it here.
