Budding filmmakers are in for a treat. After Cannes, TikTok is heading for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
As part of the Red Sea International Film Festival, the Chinese giant is launching a new short film competition.
Three winning creators will be selected to produce their own films.
TikTok seems keen to position itself as an ally of the film world.
After being one of the official sponsors of the Cannes Film Festival in France, the Chinese platform has joined forces with the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
This event, which highlights cinematographic productions from the Arab world, will be held from December 5 to 14 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
To enter the TikTok-sponsored short film competition, users must submit their original short film on the app in vertical format.
They will also need to include the hashtags #RedSeaIFF24 and #TheNewHomeOfFilm in the caption of their content in order to be eligible.
When the competition closes, three winning creators will be selected.
The winners, whose names will be announced on December 10, will win the opportunity to produce their own short film.
With a billion users worldwide, TikTok is establishing itself as an essential platform in the world of film.
The Chinese giant previously organized a similar event at the Cannes Film Festival with the TikTok Short Film Competition, launched in 2022.
"One of our key missions at RSIFF is to increase the platform of films from the Arab, African and Asian regions, and with their truly global user base and commitments to diversifying the ways in which films of all forms are viewed and shared, TikTok is the perfect partner to continue to expand our festival to new audiences from around the world," said Samaher Mously, director of marketing and communication at the Red Sea Film Foundation, quoted by The Hollywood Reporter.
"As a platform that champions creativity and the power of storytelling, we are thrilled to partner with the Red Sea International Film Festival to celebrate and elevate filmmakers from around the world," said Kinda Ibrahim, regional general manager of operations at TikTok Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan, Central and South Asia.
"This collaboration reflects our dedication to supporting filmmakers, content creators, and industry professionals by providing new ways to share their stories and connect with audiences worldwide.
From livestreaming key festival moments to hosting engaging workshops and the short film competition, we look forward to showcasing how TikTok continues to influence and inspire the entertainment industry on a global scale."
In addition to opening up the competition to its creators, TikTok will livestream the film festival's opening and closing ceremonies, and share numerous interviews with filmmakers and actors.