US filmmaker to head 1st full-fledged film festival in Saudi Arabia

US director Oliver Stone is set to lead debut edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Festival Jury.

The event is the first full-fledged film festival in Saudi Arabia after the country removed a ban on public screenings at theaters in 2018.

According to a media report, the American director will preside over the International Competition jury at the first Red Sea International Film Festival to be held in Jeddah March 12-21.

This comes as some attendees voiced concern over the validity of the event in a country with such a controversial track record on human rights.

The festival opens with Saudi flick 'The Book of Sun' by the local Godus brothers.

AG/AG