From December 4–13, the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival unfolded across Jeddah’s UNESCO-protected Al-Balad district, staking a claim as one of the most dynamic film gatherings in the world. Beyond glamorous premieres and red-carpet moments, this year’s festival solidified its role as a hub for cross-cultural exchange, industry development, and cinematic discovery.
A Star-Studded Opening and Global Presence
The festival opened with strong international attention. Hollywood figures such as Michael Caine, Adrien Brody, Vin Diesel, Jessica Alba and Uma Thurman were among those in attendance, highlighting the event’s growing place in global cinema.
Sir Michael Caine received the Red Sea Honoree Award in recognition of his long and influential career in film. At 92, his appearance, alongside his family and greeted with a standing ovation, set a memorable tone for the festival’s opening night.
Voices Shaping Contemporary Cinema
The festival’s competition jury was helmed by Oscar-winning director Sean Baker, joined by distinguished international filmmakers, including Nadine Labaki, underscoring Red Sea’s commitment to critical engagement and artistic breadth.
This year’s program featured 111 films from more than 70 countries, with 38 directed by women, reflecting a conscious push toward gender parity and inclusive storytelling.
Awards and Artistic Achievements
At the awards ceremony on December 13, the festival’s pinnacle prizes, the Yusr Awards, recognised a range of striking work from around the globe:
Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film: Lost Land, directed by Akio Fujimoto.
Yusr Jury Prize: Hijra by Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen.
Best Screenplay: A Sad and Beautiful World by Cyril Aris.
Regional and international talent was recognised across multiple categories, including acting, direction and documentary filmmaking, showing the festival’s strong respect for both skill and cultural depth.
Golden Globes Gala and Cross-Cultural Moments
The Golden Globes held a special awards dinner during the festival, marking a new collaboration. Indian actor Alia Bhatt received the Golden Globes Horizon Award, while Tunisian-Egyptian actor Hend Sabry was honoured with the Omar Sharif Award. These moments showed how the festival is bringing film industries from different parts of the world together.
Adding a personal touch to her appearance, Aliya also created one of the event’s cutest highlights during an interactive session. Responding to a fan’s request, she sang the Malayalam lullaby Unni Vavavo, revealing that her daughter, Raha, sleeps to this song. This candid moment resonated deeply with the crowd, further emphasising the cross-cultural warmth of the festival.
Bollywood also had a strong presence at the event. Actor Salman Khan presented a Red Sea Honoree Award to Idris Elba, adding to the festival’s international spirit.
The Red Sea Souk
Along with film screenings, the Red Sea Souk played an important role at the festival. It is a space where filmmakers meet producers, investors and industry professionals. This year, the Souk supported films and series at different stages by offering funding and guidance. Many of these projects are new ideas, while others are already being noticed at international festivals.
Cinema and Cultural Change
More than a showcase of films, the Red Sea festival has become part of Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural evolution. As a flagship event of the Red Sea Film Foundation, it reflects strategic efforts to position the Kingdom as a global hub for storytelling and creative industries aligned with Vision 2030.
The 2025 edition showed how far the festival has come. With stronger industry links, new filmmakers gaining attention and global audiences coming to Jeddah, the Red Sea International Film Festival is firmly establishing itself as one of the most influential film festivals in the region and beyond.
