On an exceptional night that combined the magic of the East with the glitter of world cinema, the Red Sea International Film Festival concluded its fifth edition for 2025 in the historic city of Jeddah (Al-Balad), announcing the winners of the “Yusr” awards, which have become one of the most important cinematic accolades in the Arab region and the Middle East.
Global crowning achievement and remarkable Asian presence
The closing ceremony witnessed fierce competition among filmmakers from around the world, with the Japanese film "Lost Land" by director Akio Fujimoto winning the top prize, the "Golden Ease," worth $100,000. This victory underscores the festival's international character and its openness to Asian cultures, as the jury praised the film's profound visual language and its ability to masterfully evoke human emotions.
In a related context, the Silver Emancipation Award ($30,000) went to director Shirin Daibis for her film “What's Left of You,” which reinforces the status of female directors in the international film scene and their ability to address sensitive issues in a sophisticated artistic style.
Saudi cinema: artistic maturity and well-deserved awards
The Saudi presence was not merely symbolic; it was a strong contender reflecting the rapid development of the film industry in the Kingdom within the framework of Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on arts and culture. This was evident in Saudi director Shahad Ameen winning the Jury Prize ($10,000) for her film "Migration." The film did not stop at critical acclaim, however, as it also won the Audience Award for Best Saudi Film, sponsored by AlUla Film Festival, demonstrating its success in building an emotional connection with viewers.
Awards for performance, directing, and screenwriting
The Arabic film "Greece" dominated the individual category awards, winning:
- Best Actor Award: To the star George Khabbaz, who gave an impressive acting performance.
- Best Director Award: To director Amir Fakhr El-Din ($10,000), in recognition of his outstanding directorial vision.
Actress Seo So-bin also shone, winning the Best Actress award for her role in "The World of Love," while Cyril Aris won Best Screenplay for "Stars of Hope and Pain." The jury awarded the Best Cinematic Achievement prize to director Zhang Zhongxin for his film "Voices of the Night," recognizing its technical and artistic excellence.
Honoring cinema legends and building a bridge for cultural communication
The festival was not without moments of tribute and appreciation for icons of cinema, as the ceremony honored global legends who have enriched the screen for decades. Sir Anthony Hopkins the "Yousra Honorary Award" from Egyptian star Yousra, in a scene that embodied the convergence of cultures. International star Idris Elba , receiving his award from Bollywood star Salman Khan.
On the local level, the festival celebrated the daughter of the land, Saudi director and actress Ahd Kamel , who received her award amidst thunderous applause, in recognition of her career that paved the way for many female talents in the Kingdom. World-renowned director Darren Aronofsky was also honored.
High-level judging panels
The credibility of the awards was ensured by judging panels that included an elite group of film decision-makers, with the feature film panel headed by director Sean Baker, and featuring stars such as Riz Ahmed and Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, which added significant artistic weight to the final selections.
With this conclusion, the Red Sea Film Festival cements its position as a leading cultural platform that not only showcases films but also fosters cultural dialogue and supports the creative economy in the region, drawing the world's attention annually to Jeddah as a global cinematic destination.
