The film "In the Tongues of Flames," directed by Pakistani-Canadian Zarar Khan, won the Golden Yusr Award for Best Feature Film at the third edition of the Red Sea Film Festival, which concluded yesterday, Thursday, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Silver Yusr Award went to the Indian film "Dear Jassi," directed by Tarsem Singh, while the jury awarded its special prize to the film "The Teacher," directed by Palestinian Farah Nablusi. Uzbek director Shakir Khuliqov received the Best Director award for his film "The Sunday," while the Congolese film "Harbinger" won the Best Cinematic Contribution award. Algerians Karim Ben Salah and Jamal Belmahi won the Best Screenplay award for "Above the Grave." Palestinian Mona Hawa received the Best Actress award for her role in the Jordanian film "God Willing, a Boy," and her compatriot Saleh Bakri won Best Actor for his role in "The Teacher." The Saudi film "Noora," directed by Tawfiq Al-Zaidy, won the Best Saudi Film award, while the South Korean film "Lost Hope," directed by Kim Chang-hoon, won the Audience Award.
Mohammed Turk, the CEO of the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, said, "It's hard to believe we've reached the awards ceremony and the conclusion of the third edition, which exceeded all our expectations." He added, "We hosted a record number of guests here in Jeddah at the festival, which was filled with filmmakers and audiences who love films." The festival, which began on November 30, showcased 125 films from Asia, Africa, and the Americas over eight days and provided financial and in-kind support for several films in the production and development stages through the Red Sea Market. The festival also honored American actor, director, and producer Nicolas Cage at the closing ceremony.
