Faisal Baltyuor is a busy man. One of Saudi Arabia‘s most prominent film producers since the country lifted its ban on public cinemas in 2018, Baltyuor has produced domestic hits such as the wrestling comedy Sattar and the drama From the Ashes, as well as Hijra, the country’s submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. He is also a leading film distributor in the MENA region through his company CineWaves Films. That’s not all, he is also involved on the exhibition side, and established Cinehouse, Saudi Arabia’s first art house cinema.
But wait, there’s more. In June, Baltyuor, undoubtedly the most connected man in the Saudi entertainment industry, was named CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, the sprawling non-profit cultural organization that hosts the annual Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in Jeddah, and also the fast-growing film market Red Sea Souk, as well as supporting filmmakers and backing projects through the Red Sea Fund, and developing creative talent through the Red Sea Labs.
As Baltyuor himself says, he is a “man who wears many hats” and his appointment to the top job at the Red Sea Film Foundation comes at a crucial time for the still nascent, but generously funded, Saudi film and TV industry that is seemingly speedrunning its way to establishing a sustainable entertainment ecosystem.
In the days leading up to the fifth edition of RSIFF, The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Baltyuor, where he opened up about his long journey to becoming CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, the rapid development of the entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia, and what the festival means to local filmmakers.
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