Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- The Red Sea Film Foundation, chaired by Jomana R. Alrashid, has announced new members to its Board of Trustees. The new board members include Haifaa Al-Mansour, Firas Al-Turki, and Salman Al-Sudairi. They will join existing board members Abdullah Al-Ayaf Al-Qahtani and Hadeel Saleh Kamel, who have been fundamental in driving the success of the Red Sea Film Foundation to date.
Since 2022, Jomana R. Alrashid has chaired the Board of Trustees and spearheaded the Foundation’s strategic vision and its overall growth and trajectory. Her achievements at the Foundation reflect her substantial impact on the cinematic and media sectors. Haifaa Al-Mansour is noted for her pioneering role as one of Saudi Arabia’s first female directors internationally recognized, notably for her film “Wadjda”—the first film to be shot within Saudi Arabia and the first film to be first Saudi selection for the Oscars.
Firas Al-Turki is currently the Deputy Minister for Shared Services at the Ministry of Culture and has previously held numerous senior roles at the Saudi Commercial Bank, including Senior Vice President, Head of Shared Services, and Executive Vice President and Head of Operations. Salman Al-Sudairi, serving as Managing Partner at Latham & Watkins in Riyadh, provides expert advisory services across multiple sectors, including energy, retail, manufacturing, defense, telecommunications, healthcare, and hospitality.
Abdullah Al-Ayaf Al-Qahtani, appointed CEO of the Saudi Film Commission in 2020, brings his extensive experience as an award-winning filmmaker, novelist, and director. Hadeel bint Saleh Kamel, Chairperson of Al Tawfeek Leasing Company and Vice Chairwoman of Arab Moltaqa Investments Company “AMIC” since 2010, brings significant leadership and investment expertise to the board.
Jomana R. Alrashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, remarked, “Our objective is to be a catalyst for film and culture and cement our reputation as a leading global platform to empower filmmakers and talents. I have no doubt that the new Board of Trustees, with their wealth of knowledge, history of achievements and understanding of the cultural and cinematic landscape will help us achieve our objectives and continue to make our mark on the world stage.”
This decision aligns with the Red Sea Film Foundation’s sustained efforts as a non-profit entity dedicated to advancing the Saudi film industry in production, distribution, education, and training, and strengthening the cultural and film sectors within the Saudi Arabia and the region.
