Saudi Arabia‘s Red Sea Film Foundation has cancelled the 2026 edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, saying in a statement that the sixth edition had been postponed to the fourth quarter of 2027.

The announcement follows weeks of speculation over whether the 2026 edition, scheduled to unfold from December 3-12 in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, would take place amid tensions across the entire Gulf region due to the U.S.-Israeli-Iran war.

Aside from retaliatory strikes on neighboring territories, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, Iran has also sought to take control of the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, a key shipping route for their oil and other goods.

Beyond direct threats from Iran, Saudi Arabia is also dealing with a flareup in its conflict with the Iran-backed Houthi group in recent weeks.

The foundation did not mention the geopolitical tensions saying rather that the decision “followed a comprehensive review of a range of considerations relating to the timing of the next edition, including the logistical requirements involved in staging an international event of this scale.”

Since the event’s launch in 2021, in the wake of Saudi Arabia’s lifting of its 35-year cinema ban at the end of 2017, it has grown into the Gulf region’s main film festival with a steady flow of high-profile Hollywood guests, burgeoning industry events, and wide Middle East and international participation.

Aside from geopolitical tensions beyond its control, the festival has also been subject to internal debate about its future direction in recent months.

In June, the foundation’s longtime Managing Director Shivani Pandya Malhotra, who helped spearhead the launch of the festival having joined the body in 2019, stepped down with a number of her close team members leaving as well.

In the backdrop, there are also wider questions around Saudi Arabia’s larger commitment to the film industry, with the country’s entertainment focus shifting to the video game sector and sports such as boxing and soccer.

The foundation made it clear in its statement that the festival will be back for sixth edition in 2027 with “a renewed vision and a programme that continues to celebrate cinema and filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the region and around the world.”

It also emphasized that it will continue its year-round mission of supporting filmmakers and strengthening the film industries through the Red Sea Fund, Red Sea Labs and its wider programmes and initiatives.

As part of this continued commitment, the foundation said it will introduce year-round programming at Culture Square in Jeddah from November 2026, establishing it as an ongoing destination for film screenings, cultural events and specialised film-industry programmes.

“The Red Sea Film Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to filmmakers, partners, guests and audiences for their continued trust and support. We look forward to welcoming the global film community back to Historic Jeddah in 2027 for a sixth edition that celebrates cinema, creativity and cultural dialogue,” concluded its statement.

In the meantime, Gulf neighbor the United Arab Emirates announced last week that it is reviving the Dubai International Film Festival following a 10-year hiatus, with a scheduled December 8, 2027 opening date, which could see it clash with the Red Sea.

In the backdrop, Qatar’s Doha Film Festival is pushing on with plans for its second edition running this November 19-27, 2026.