Red Sea Festival Awards 2025: The Full List of Winners
On a magical night in the historic city of Jeddah, the Red Sea International Film Festival concluded its fifth edition in 2025, cementing its position as one of the most prominent cinematic platforms in the region and the world. The closing ceremony was graced by a host of film stars, where winning films were celebrated and cinematic legends who have enriched the global screen with their creativity were honored.
Al-Yusr Awards: Japan snatches the gold
The international jury awarded the Japanese film "Lost Land" by director Akio Fujimoto the Golden Yur Award for Best Feature Film, the festival's most prestigious prize worth $100,000. This victory underscores the festival's commitment to cultural diversity, as the film successfully conveyed a unique visual language that garnered praise from both critics and audiences.
In a related context, the “Silver Ease” award, worth $30,000, went to director Shirin Daibis for her film “What Remains of You,” reflecting the strength of women’s storytelling and its ability to compete in international forums.
Saudi cinema: A strong presence and a promising future
The Saudi presence was not marginal; it was at the heart of the event, reflecting the significant strides made by the Kingdom's film industry in line with Vision 2030, which places great importance on the culture and arts sector. This was clearly demonstrated by Saudi director Shahad Ameen winning the Jury Prize for her film "Migration," in addition to the film itself winning the Audience Award for Best Saudi Film, sponsored by AlUla Film Festival.
This crowning achievement is not just about winning a statue, but it is a testament to the maturity of the local cinematic experience and its ability to address human and societal issues in a sophisticated artistic style that competes globally.
Arab dominance and the glorification of myths
In the realm of Arab cinema, the film "Younan" dominated the acting and directing awards, with star Georges Khabbaz winning the "Yusr" award for Best Actor, while director Amir Fakhr El-Din took home the Best Director award. In the acting category, actress Seo Soo-bin shone, winning Best Actress for her role in the film "The World of Love.".
The ceremony was not without moments of loyalty and appreciation, as the attendees stood in respect for a long history of creativity during the honoring of Sir Anthony Hopkins with the “Yousra Honorary Award,” which was presented to him by the star Yousra, as well as honoring the international star Idris Elba and the director Darren Aronofsky, in addition to the special celebration of the daughter of the Kingdom, the director and actress Ahd Kamel.
The importance of the festival and its regional impact
The Red Sea International Film Festival is more than just an artistic event; in just a few years, it has transformed into a cultural bridge connecting East and West, and a vital platform for supporting filmmakers in the Arab world and Africa. This year's edition is particularly significant for its role in promoting a sustainable film industry in Saudi Arabia, attracting global investment, and opening new horizons for young talent, thus firmly establishing the Kingdom on the global cinematic map.
The judging panels, headed in the feature film category by director Sean Baker and including stars such as Riz Ahmed and Nadine Labaki, concluded their work by emphasizing the high artistic standard of the participating works, which bodes well for the future of the festival in its upcoming editions.
