Shireen Daibis wins Variety Award at the Red Sea Film Festival
On an exceptional cinematic night in the heart of Jeddah's historic district, specifically as part of the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, prominent Palestinian director Cherien Dabis was awarded the Variety International Leading Director Award. This prestigious honor celebrates her latest film, "What's Left of You," and recognizes her distinguished career, which has successfully built cultural bridges between East and West through a unique cinematic language.
"What's Left of You": A Cinematic Document Across Generations
Daibis's win was not a mere formality, but rather the culmination of tireless work embodied in her epic film "What's Left of You," which she wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. The film offers a profound dramatic treatment that transcends traditional narrative, documenting the journey of displacement and resilience of a Palestinian family spanning three generations.
The film spans a pivotal period, from 1948 (the year of the Nakba) to 2022, painting a panoramic picture of pain and hope, and of an identity that refuses to fade despite the harshness of displacement. This epic derives its power from a high-caliber cast, including the Bakri family (Saleh, Adam, and Mohammad Bakri), alongside Mohammad Abdel Rahman and Maria Zreik, whose performances resonate deeply with the human spirit and reflect the complexities of the Palestinian reality.
From "America" to global recognition: An exceptional cinematic journey
This honor in Jeddah marks a new milestone in Daibis's career, which began strongly with her first feature film, "Amreeka" in 2009. That work not only won the acclaim of the Sundance Film Festival, but also won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) award at the Cannes Film Festival, establishing a different "Arab-American" narrative that departs from stereotypes.
The director continued her journey with the film "Me in the Summer," which opened the Sundance Film Festival in 2013 and marked her first acting experience, before moving on to be shown at the Venice International Film Festival, thus confirming her status as an auteur director with a unique visual and narrative vision.
A Palestinian imprint on American drama
Shirin Daibis did not confine her creativity to the big screen, but rather stormed the strongholds of international television drama in Hollywood. She left her directorial mark on episodes of famous series such as "Ramy" and "Ozark" on the "Hulu" and "Netflix" platforms.
In an unprecedented historical achievement, she made history in 2022 as the first Palestinian to be nominated for the prestigious Emmy television award, for directing the innovative silent episode (The Boy from 6B) in the series "Only Murders in the Building," highlighting her ability to adapt directing tools to serve complex stories with innovative artistic methods.
Red Sea Festival: A hub for global talent
This recognition underscores the pivotal role of the Red Sea International Film Festival as a global platform celebrating exceptional talent and vision. By attracting and honoring figures of Shirin Daibis's caliber, the festival solidifies its position as a bridge for cultural exchange and a visual beacon that inspires emerging generations of filmmakers in the Kingdom and the wider Arab region, providing a space for voices that tell human stories with authenticity and depth.
