Human Tide - World Premiere at The Red Sea Film Festival

We are proud to announce that Human Tide is an Official Selection at the Red Sea Film Festival, where it will receive its world premiere this December.

Human Tide, our feature documentary directed by David Ward, produced by John Hay and Donall McCusker, and line produced by Rachel Ward, is the result of eighteen months of work by an international crew of more than 80 people filming across three continents. The film follows Muslim pilgrims from around the world as they prepare for and undertake Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to Makkah and one of the largest gatherings of people on Earth. It explores connection, vulnerability, faith and personal change, revealing how the vast scale of the pilgrimage is built from individual stories and lived experiences.

Our deepest thanks go first to the pilgrims who took part. They welcomed us into their lives at an important moment and shared their journeys with openness, generosity and real trust. The film exists because of them, and we are grateful for every conversation, every shared moment and every insight they offered.

We are also especially grateful to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and in particular to Abdulrahman Alkheraigi, who offered us exceptional access and collaborated fully throughout the making of the film. Their support, guidance and openness played a vital role in enabling us to tell these stories with accuracy and respect.

We are equally grateful to the crews who carried this project day-to-day. From field teams navigating demanding locations - from –20°C snow to 50°C heat - to sound, camera and production staff adapting calmly to challenges on the ground, to the editorial and post-production teams who shaped the material with care, their steady commitment is visible throughout the film.

We’re honoured to bring Human Tide to audiences for the first time in Jeddah and look forward to sharing more updates, screening dates and festival news very soon.