Shivani Pandya Malhotra has stepped down as Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation after seven years in the role, with the Saudi organization confirming her departure was effective June 1. Her exit comes as attention turns to the future of the Red Sea International Film Festival, the foundation’s flagship event, which is scheduled to return in Jeddah from December 3 to December 12, 2026.
Pandya Malhotra joined the foundation in early 2019, two years after Saudi Arabia lifted its cinema ban, and played a central role in establishing the country’s first international film festival. A veteran festival executive, she previously led the Dubai International Film Festival and the Gulf Film Festival, bringing extensive regional experience to the position. During her tenure, the foundation moved through three CEOs — Mahmoud Sabbagh, Mohammed Al-Turki and current chief executive Faisal Baltyour — while the festival grew from a pandemic-delayed launch into one of the most prominent cultural events in the Middle East.
The inaugural edition finally took place in 2021 in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, featuring a temporary cinema setup, an emerging industry hub and a limited number of international guests. Since then, the festival has expanded in scale and profile, becoming a key part of Saudi Arabia’s wider efforts to position itself as a major destination for film, television and creative production.
That ambition also ties into the kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. The Red Sea Film Foundation has been a visible part of that strategy, not only through the festival itself but also through year-round programs such as the Red Sea Souk, Labs and Fund, all of which have helped support filmmakers, projects and industry development across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
Pandya Malhotra’s departure is likely to prompt discussion across the MENA cinema community about the festival’s next phase, especially amid signs that Saudi Arabia is tightening spending and reassessing priorities. Questions have emerged over whether the festival will continue investing heavily in high-profile international talent appearances, a strategy that was introduced under Al-Turki to raise the event’s global visibility. While that approach helped establish the festival’s international reputation, it has also drawn criticism from some observers who argue that long-term growth should focus more on strengthening local industry infrastructure.
In her farewell remarks, Pandya Malhotra said she leaves with pride in what the team built over seven editions and described the foundation’s journey as a defining part of her career. Baltyour thanked her for her contribution, saying she had played an important role in shaping the foundation’s growth alongside a team of Saudi and international professionals. The sixth edition of the Red Sea Film Festival is set to be closely watched as the organization enters a new leadership phase.
