Shivani Pandya Malhotra Leaves Red Sea Film Festival Role
9 reported
Shivani Pandya Malhotra has stepped down as general manager of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival, according to a report from Variety. The festival, held in Jeddah, was established in 2019 with its first edition in 2020, two years after Saudi Arabia lifted its 35-year ban on commercial movie theaters. Pandya Malhotra played an instrumental role in building the event from scratch and, over five editions, turning it into one of the Arab world’s most prominent festivals and the top movie market in the MENA region. In a statement, she expressed pride in what was built and gratitude to the foundation’s leadership, partners, and film community. Sources cited in the report indicate that the vision of CEO Faisal Baltyour, appointed in May 2025, clashed with Pandya Malhotra’s mode of operation. Baltyour thanked her for her contributions and wished her success. Pandya Malhotra, who has over 25 years of entertainment industry experience, recently ventured into film production as executive producer of the drama “The Station.”
What’s reported
Shivani Pandya Malhotra stepped down as general manager of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival.
The festival was established in 2019, with its inaugural edition in 2020, after Saudi Arabia lifted a 35-year ban on commercial movie theaters.
Pandya Malhotra helped build the event from scratch over five editions, making it a prominent Arab world festival and top MENA movie market.
In its second year (December 2022), the festival hosted nearly 40,000 filmgoers and over 4,000 film professionals, with a jury hosted by Oliver Stone.
The 2023 edition featured Baz Luhrmann as jury president and films including “Four Daughters” and “Jeanne du Barry.”
The 2025 edition was the first under CEO Faisal Baltyour, appointed in May 2025 to oversee the Red Sea Foundation, Red Sea Fund, and Red Sea Labs.
Sources cited in the report say Baltyour’s vision for the festival clashed with Pandya Malhotra’s mode of operation.
Pandya Malhotra has over 25 years of entertainment industry experience and previously managed the now defunct Dubai Film Festival.
She recently served as executive producer of the Yemen-set drama “The Station,” which premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week in May.
Key figures
Shivani Pandya Malhotra: former general manager of the Red Sea Film Festival
Jomana Al Rashid: chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation
Faisal Baltyour: CEO of the Red Sea Foundation
Oliver Stone: jury host for the 2022 edition
Baz Luhrmann: jury president for the 2023 edition
Sean Baker: jury president for the 2024 edition
Sara Ishaq: director of “The Station”
Sources: Variety
