Faisal Baltyuor has been appointed CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation. His appointment, announced by the Foundation, will take effect on June 1, 2025. He will take over from Acting CEO Mohammed Asseri, following the earlier transition of Mohammed Al Turki into an advisory position.
Baltyuor is a key figure in the development of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary film industry. He previously served as the first head of Ithra Cinema and the first CEO of the Saudi Film Council. He founded CineWaves Films, a Saudi distribution company that has expanded rapidly in recent years, and has held the CEO position at Muvi Studios. He also opened Riyadh’s first arthouse cinema, Cinehouse, further diversifying the country’s exhibition platforms.
His producing credits extend across film festival circuits and streaming platforms. He executive produced The Perfect Candidate, which was selected for the Venice International Film Festival. He was also involved in Sattar, one of Saudi Arabia’s highest-grossing titles, and co-produced Goodbye Julia, which received the Prix de la Liberté at Cannes in 2023. On the streaming side, Baltyuor worked on the Saudi Netflix Original From the Ashes, which placed in the top 10 most-viewed films in 40 countries.
Jomana Al-Rashid, chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, welcomed the appointment in a public statement. “From its inception, the Red Sea Film Foundation has been driven by a singular mission: to ignite a cinematic renaissance across Saudi Arabia and the broader region,” she said. “By elevating a new generation of talent, creativity, and stories from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia, we are harnessing the power of cinema to bridge cultures and inspire innovation. Today, we are delighted to welcome Faisal to this transformative journey. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to unlocking the boundless potential of emerging talent will fuel not only artistic excellence but also the sustainable growth of our industry.”
Baltyuor responded to the appointment by emphasizing the Foundation’s growing stature in the global industry. “I am deeply honoured to assume the position of CEO at the Red Sea Film Foundation, a leading institution at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s cultural and cinematic evolution. In a remarkably short time, the Foundation has secured its place on the global festival map, and we are committed to building on this success,” he said. He pointed to the Foundation’s programs as vehicles for supporting the growth of Saudi cinema while aligning with Vision 2030’s broader national development aims.
Since launching, the Red Sea International Film Festival has screened over 520 films from 85 countries, with 130 titles coming from Saudi Arabia. The next edition of the festival will take place from December 4 to 13 in Al Balad, Jeddah’s historic district.
