3rd funding round offers financial backing to directors in Arab world, Africa LONDON: Officials behind a fund offering grants to help toward the production of Arab and African films are inviting new applications for financial backing. Red Sea Film Festival Foundation organizers announced on Tuesday the opening of a third round of Red Sea Fund support grants. Running from June 6 until July 2, applications are being invited for flicks ready to go into production, with up to $500,000 per movie available for filmmakers. Head of the fund, Emad Eskander, said: “We are truly impressed by the exceptional talent that aspiring and world-renowned filmmakers brought to the table in our second edition.” The third round of funding will support projects from directors in Saudi Arabia, Africa, and throughout the Arab world, with the aim of helping launch a new generation of movie producers while supporting established filmmakers as they take their work from script to screen. “It’s clear that the bar has been set high, but we have no doubt that the filmmakers are up for the challenge. “Looking ahead to the third edition’s production cycle, we are confident that filmmakers will continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation,” Eskander added. The Red Sea Fund has made a significant impact in the film world, supporting movies that have premiered and won awards at prestigious festivals such as Berlin and Cannes.