During its fifth edition, the Red Sea International Film Festival proved that the formula it offers – mixing an arthouse film programme, a diverse industry sidebar (the Red Sea Souk) dedicated to emerging and more seasoned filmmakers, and meetings with famous actors and directors within the In-Conversation strand – continues to be effective. Despite the heavy rain (a rare occurrence in the city of Jeddah) that halted the festival for one day, the gathering attracted a sizeable audience. Screening rooms were full, as was the Red Sea Souk space.

Two days before the official conclusion of the festival, the winners of the competitive sections and the recipients of honorary awards were unveiled. The jury, led by US filmmaker and recent Palme d’Or winner Sean Baker, also included Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, British actors Naomie Harris and Riz Ahmed, as well as Ukrainian-French thesp Olga Kurylenko. They decided to give the main prize, the Golden Yusr Award, to Lost Land [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] by Akio Fujimoto from Japan. The film had its world premiere in Venice’s Orizzonti section, where it picked up a Special Jury Prize.

All That’s Left of You [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Cherien Dabis
scheda film], a family saga set in Palestine and Jordan’s Oscar entry, penned and directed by Cherien Dabis, secured the Silver Yusr accolade. In turn, the Saudi Academy Award hopeful Hijra [+leggi anche:
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The melancholic Yunan [+leggi anche:
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Last but not least, My Father’s Scent [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Mohamed Siam
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Apart from the full-length movies, short forms were also rewarded. The jury, consisting of Darin J Sallam from Jordan, actress Nour Alkhadra and Oscar-winning Danish producer Kim Magnusson, gave the Golden Yusr Prize for Best Short Film to Coyotes by Said Zagha. Karim Eldin Elalfy’s Empty Lands landed the Silver Yusr Award, while a Special Mention from the jury was issued to JEEM 1983 by Jorj Abou Mhaya.

Closing night also saw four accomplished filmmakers receive honorary awards: US helmer Darren Aronofsky, British thesps Idris Elba and Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Saudi actor-director Ahd Kamel. In their acceptance speeches, they all mentioned the atmosphere of the festival, and praised the enthusiasm and ambition of local talents. The first three filmmakers also participated in the In-Conversation format.

The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, which started on 4 December, will continue for two more days.

Here is the full list of award winners:

Red Sea: Competition

Golden Yusr Best Feature Film
Lost Land [+leggi anche:
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Silver Yusr Feature Film
All That’s Left of You [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Cherien Dabis
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Yusr Best Director
Ameer Fakher Eldin – Yunan [+leggi anche:
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Yusr Jury Prize
Hijra [+leggi anche:
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Yusr Best Actor
George Khabbaz – Yunan

Yusr Best Actress
Seo Su-Bin – The World of Love (South Korea)

Yusr Best Screenplay
A Sad and Beautiful World [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Cyril Aris
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Yusr Cinematic Achievement
Nighttime Sounds – Zhang Zhongchen (China)

Red Sea: Shorts Competition

Golden Yusr Best Short Film
Coyotes - Said Zagha (Palestine/France/Jordan/UK)

Silver Yusr Short Film
Empty Lands - Karim Eldin Elalfy (USA/Egypt)

Short Special Mention
JEMM 1983 - Jorj Abou Mhaya (Lebanon)

Other awards

Al Sharq Best Documentary Award
In-I: In Motion - Juliette Binoche (France)

AlUla Audience Award – Saudi Film
Hijra – Shahad Ameen

AlUla Audience Award – Non-Saudi Film
My Father’s Scent [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Mohamed Siam
scheda film] – Mohamed Siam (Egypt/Norway/Sweden/Switzerland/France/Saudi Arabia/Qatar)