The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation announced on Monday that it has supported 37 Saudi and Saudi-based filmmakers through its Community Relief Fund initiative to aid filmmakers facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The total funds disbursed so far have reached SAR 93,100 from the grant’s budget of SAR 200,000

"So far, the Community Relief Fund has awarded grants to 12 above-the-line filmmakers, and 25 below-the-line film industry workers. The split has been 70 percent males and 30 percent females," the festival said.

Filmmakers facing difficulties can still apply for a grant by submitting applications on the festival’s website.

The first edition of the festival was supposed to take place this year, but the organisers postponed it due to the pandemic following the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Egypt is expected to have a high level of participation in the festival’s activities. In December 2019, the organisers revealed that the festival will honour Egyptian filmmaker Khairy Beshara, some of whose films have been re-mastered by the festival.

Among the foundation's aims is to shed light on Saudi cinema, promote international cinema to local audiences, and support Saudi and international filmmakers while nurturing the cultural scene.

Saudi Arabia reported almost 4,000 new coronavirus cases on Monday, with the total now surpassing 186,500 cases and almost 1,600 deaths.

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