Shivani Pandya Malhotra has stepped down as managing director/general manager of the Saudi Red Sea Film Festival, according to multiple outlets. The Red Sea Film Foundation, which runs the Red Sea International Film Festival, announces that her departure is effective as of June 1. Coverage describes her as having helped build the festival from scratch and shaped its development over several editions, including expanding its profile within the region and establishing it as a major event in the Arab world and a leading film market across MENA.
Deadline also reports that questions are circulating about the festival’s future direction following her exit, while reiterating that the foundation states the change was planned and occurred on June 1. Variety similarly frames the move as part of her stepping down from a long-running role after years of involvement with the festival’s growth.
Both accounts treat the departure as a personnel change announced by the foundation, with no immediate details provided about a successor or specific programming shifts.
