Sean Baker Named Jury President for Fifth Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2025

Acclaimed filmmaker Sean Baker, fresh off his monumental success with *Anora*—a film that recently secured five Academy Awards, including trophies for Best Picture and Best Director—has officially been named the Jury President for the Fifth Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in 2025. This high-profile appointment underscores the festival’s rapidly increasing international stature. Since its inception in 2019, the RSIFF has dedicated itself to becoming a vital cinematic platform for the Arab world, Africa, and Asia.

Known for his authentic storytelling and focus on marginalized voices, Baker is set to bring a unique creative perspective to this prestigious position. He will lead the selection process for the festival’s top honor, the Yusr award, which recognizes the best feature film. The Fifth session of the RSIFF is scheduled to take place over ten days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, running precisely from December 4 to December 13, 2025. This landmark anniversary event will showcase 16 films in the main competition section, all vying for the coveted Yusr prizes.

The festival continues to solidify its standing as a premier cultural and cinematic event of regional and global importance, operating from the historic Al-Balad district, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The grand opening of the Fifth Red Sea Film Festival will be marked by the screening of the boxing biopic *Giant*. Directed by Rowan Athale, this anticipated film chronicles the life of the celebrated boxer Prince Naseem Hamed.

Baker’s masterpiece, *Anora*, proved to be a major triumph at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony, securing five statuettes out of its six total nominations. The wins included Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for Mikey Madison), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. Furthermore, Director Baker achieved a historical milestone by earning four personal awards for a single film—a feat previously matched only by Walt Disney, though Disney’s awards were accumulated across different projects. The film’s success portfolio also notably includes the prestigious Palme d'Or victory from the Cannes Film Festival.

Mohammed Al-Turki, the Chief Executive Officer of the Red Sea Film Foundation, emphasized that Sean Baker embodies the spirit of independent cinema, noting that his body of work strongly resonates with the festival’s core values. The Red Sea Film Foundation, a non-profit entity, actively champions the film industries across Saudi Arabia, Asia, and Africa through vital initiatives like the Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Labs. Baker himself conveyed his profound honor at leading the jury, affirming his commitment to the festival’s mission of promoting diverse and daring cinematic endeavors on a global scale. The festival is expected to screen more than 100 films originating from over 50 countries, complemented by industry panel discussions and sessions held during the Red Sea Souk market. The winners will be announced, and the festival will conclude, on December 13, 2025.