2020 has been a bust. Stuck at home, with routines and habits we’d rather forget. And time has stood still. Challenging aspiring filmmakers to a creative experiment, Alliance Française, the Consulate general of France in Jeddah, The embassy of France in Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea International Film Festival, and La Fémis the film and television school want to change all that with two fast-paced and imaginative days.

The adventure is open to the Kingdom’s aspiring filmmakers – Saudis and Saudi residents alike – aged 18–25. Apply for the 48Hr Film Challenge, where successful applicants will enjoy three days of technical workshops and mentorship before the action-packed shoot in a race against the clock. And that’s not all – the winning team leaders will be crowned for their achievements with a prize of filmmaking residency at La Fémis, in France, next year.

Get your team (max. 5) together and let us know why you want to participate in this filmmaking adventure – applications are open now. Check out the submission guidelines for your chance to be part of a wild 48 hours, turning two days into a brand new, original short film!

Yusr awards, which offer cash prizes in directing, screenwriting, acting, and other categories. A jury of world-renowned filmmakers and film professionals will award cinematic work that pushes traditions, recognizing the innovators of independent filmmaking. The Yusr awards aspire to elevate new voices and encourage Saudi and regional filmmaking.