Organisers of the Red Sea International Film Festival announced an emergency shutdown following severe rainfall and flooding in Jeddah, declaring the event temporarily suspended to safeguard attendee safety.

The festival, now in its fifth edition, had opened on 4 December with high hopes and a roster of global premieres and red-carpet events.

Weather services issued city-wide alerts after unprecedented downpours began overnight, triggering flooding across historic Al-Balad and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The festival’s headquarters and outdoor venues were among the areas affected by rising water levels and infrastructure hazards.

Local authorities raised the alert level and deployed emergency crews as floods swept streets and overwhelmed drainage systems, complicating transport and access to key sites.

In light of the conditions, festival organisers cited “unavoidable safety risks” and opted to suspend all screenings, industry panels and public gatherings until further notice.

While the shutdown disrupts a major moment for Saudi Arabia’s cultural calendar, officials emphasised that guest and attendee well-being remained the top priority.

They committed to closely monitoring weather developments and will announce a revised schedule once the situation stabilises.

The abrupt pause highlights the challenge of hosting large public events in a country increasingly exposed to extreme weather patterns, even as the festival aims to cement its role in global cinema.

The coming days will test the resilience of the programme — and the capacity of authorities to salvage what remains of the cinematic showcase.