Shivani Pandya Malhotra has stepped down as managing director of the Red Sea Film Foundation after seven years at the organisation behind Red Se
Shivani Pandya Malhotra has stepped down as managing director of the Red Sea Film Foundation after seven years at the organisation behind Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
Pandya Malhotra’s last official day was May 31. Pandya Malhotra joined the Foundation in 2019 to spearhead the launch of RSIFF, with the aim of creating an event in Saudi Arabia to promote cross-cultural exchange and foster the growth of the Arab film industry.
Overseeing five editions since its launch in 2021, she has also supported and helped develop the Red Sea Fund, which has backed 170 films from the Arab world and Africa since 2019, and the Red Sea Labs training platform. Pandya Malhotra also contributed to the growth of the Red Sea Souk, the industry platform that runs alongside RSIFF.
“After seven incredible years and five remarkable editions of the Red Sea International Film Festival, I leave with immense pride in everything we have built together,” said Pandya Malhotra.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the Foundation’s journey from the very beginning and to witness its growth into a globally respected institution. I am deeply grateful to our chairwoman Jomana Al Rashid, CEO Faisal Baltyour, our leadership, partners, filmmakers, colleagues, and the wider film community whose passion and commitment have helped shape this success. While I am excited about the next chapter, the Red Sea Film Foundation will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
Faisal Baltyour, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “Shivani has played an important role in the Foundation’s journey, working alongside a talented team of Saudi and international professionals to help shape its growth. We thank her for her contributions and wish her every success in the next chapter of her career.”
Prior to Red Sea, Pandya Malhotra spent 15 years at Dubai International Film Festival, joining as part of the project team in 2003 and rising to managing director by the time of her departure in 2018.
She was also a core member of the team that launched Dubai Media City (DMC), serving on the board of the Dubai Film & TV Commission (DFTC) – during which time she supported more than 300 projects – and spearheaded the Gulf Film Festival (GFF).
In 2022, Pandya Malhotra co-founded production company Ta Films with Sangeeta Desai. Its first production, Sara Ishaq’s The Station, premiered in Critics’ Week at Cannes last month.
Pandya Malhotra is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and on the membership board of directors of the Golden Globes. Now with more than 25 years in the film industry, she began her career in India and was branch head for United Studios Limited, a subsidiary of the UTV Group before moving to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
RSIFF launched in 2021 as Saudi was starting to open up, just three years after a 35-year ban on cinemas had ended. International stars to walk the red carpet at the festival since then have included Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Vin Diesel, Spike Lee, Will Smith, Michelle Yeoh, Emily Blunt, Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicolas Cage – all helping project a progressive image of Saudi and its film sector to the world.
The sixth edition of RSIFF is set to take place from December 3-12 in Jeddah. Last year’s edition programmed 111 films and saw Oscar-winner Sean Baker preside over the competition jury.
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