Red Sea Film Festival 2025: ‘Lost Land’ Clinches Top Prize, Palestinian Drama Takes Silver Yusr

The 5th Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) concluded with a glamorous awards ceremony in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, recognizing the finest in global and regional cinema. The top honor, the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film, went to Japanese filmmaker Akio Fujimoto for his Rohingya refugee drama Lost Land, earning him a $100,000 cash prize. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year, follows two refugee children embarking on a perilous journey to reunite with their family in Malaysia.

The Silver Yusr, accompanied by a $30,000 prize, was awarded to Cherien Dabis’ All That’s Left of You, a critically acclaimed Palestinian family drama spanning three generations from 1948 to 2022. Premiering at Sundance, the film explores the enduring impact of the Nakba and has been selected as Jordan’s official submission for the 2026 Oscars in the Best International Film category.

Jeddah-born filmmaker Shahad Ameen took home the Yusr Jury Prize and the Film AlUla Best Saudi Film Award for her road movie Hijra, Saudi Arabia’s official Oscar submission. The film, which also premiered in Venice, garnered praise for its storytelling and cinematic execution, solidifying Ameen as a rising voice in Saudi cinema.

Also Read: Kartik Aaryan’s Unexpected Selfie With Johnny Depp at Red Sea Film Festival Breaks the Internet

Syrian filmmaker Ameer Fakher Eldin’s Yunan won two awards, including Best Director and Best Actor for George Khabbaz, highlighting a redemptive drama set in Germany. Rising international talent was also celebrated, with Korean actress Seo Su-Bin winning Best Actress for The World of Love and Chinese filmmaker Zhang Zhongchen honored with the Yusr for Cinematic Achievement for Nighttime Sounds.

Juliette Binoche received the Al Sharq Award for Best Documentary for her directorial debut In-I: In Motion, while Mohamed Siam’s My Father’s Scent claimed the Film AlUla Audience Award. In the Shorts Competition, Coyotes by Said Zagha won the Golden Yusr for Best Short Film, followed by Karim Eldin Elalfy’s Empty Lands with the Silver Yusr, and a Special Mention for Jeem 1983 by Jorj Abou Mhaya.

The 2025 festival celebrated a diverse range of voices, from regional stories to global narratives, reflecting the Red Sea Film Festival’s commitment to showcasing cinematic excellence across cultures. With a mix of socially relevant themes, refugee stories, and artistic innovation, the festival highlighted the power of film to engage audiences worldwide.

Also Read: Kartik Aaryan’s Unexpected Selfie With Johnny Depp at Red Sea Film Festival Breaks the Internet