After an intense week punctuated by projections, meetings, panels and masterclasses, the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) ended in apotheosis. The closing ceremony, which took place in the majestic city of Jeddah, brought together an audience of international stars, including Tunisians Dhafer Abidine and Dorra Zarrouk, the Americans Johnny Depp and Sarah Jessica Parker, the Italian Riccardo Scamarcio, the Lebanese Maguy Bou Ghosn, as well as the Egyptians Masry and Omar El Shenawy.
This memorable edition has devoted Tunisian cinema, with Red children Lotfi Achourwhich won the two most prestigious awards: the Golden Yusr of the best film and the prize for the best production. These distinctions were awarded by an international jury chaired by the American director Spike Lee and made up of influential personalities such as Abu Bakr Shawky (Egyptian director), Tûba Büyküstün (Turkish actress), Minnie Driver (British actress) and Daniel Dae Kim (American actor and producer).
A moving speech for an unforgettable birthday
When Lotfi Achour went on stage to receive his awards, the emotion was palpable. The director said, with a touch of joy and emotion: “Today is my birthday, and I couldn’t dream of a better gift!” »». But his speech quickly took a more serious turn, paying tribute to the young broken lives who inspired his film.
Lotfi Achour explained that Red children was born from a personal and national tragedy which deeply marked it. In 2015, the whole country was horrified by the brutal assassination of Mabrouk Soltani, a teenager whose head had been beheaded by terrorists and placed in a plastic bag, kept in a refrigerator. Two years later, in 2017, his big brother, Khalifa Soltani, suffered the same fate, in an frozen indifference of the Tunisian authorities.
“” It was necessary to make this film so that these young people are not forgotten, so that their broken lives serve as memory and lesson »Insisted Achour. His approach, driven by the need to pay tribute to these victims and to question the silence of the institutions, found a powerful echo with spectators and the jury.
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A universal message of peace and justice
Anissa Daoued, the film’s co -producer, also spoke to send an overwhelming message: ” Nowhere in the world, children should have to undergo this. Neither in Tunisia, nor in Gaza, nor elsewhere. »»
The prize list:
The evening was also an opportunity to celebrate other remarkable talents through an eclectic record:
International feature films
- Yusr d’or for best film: Red children Lotfi Achour – $ 100,000.
- Silver Yusr: To a landnown From Mahdi Fleifel – $ 30,000.
- Best achievement: Lotfi Achour for Red children – $ 10,000.
- Best scenario: Songs of Adam ODAY RASHEED – $ 10,000.
- Best actress: Mariam Sherif in Snow White.
- Best actor: Mahmoud Bakri in To a landnown.
- Jury prices: Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo From Khaled Mansour – $ 10,000.
Short films
- Silver Yusr: Alazar From Baiza Hailu Lemma – $ 12,500.
- Yusr d’Or: Hatch Alireza Kazemipour and Panta Mosleh – $ 25,000.
Documentaries
- Asharq Best Documentary: State of Silence From Santiago Mazar – $ 10,000.
Audience prize alula
- International film: Little Jaffna de Lawrence Valin.
- Saudi film: Hobal Abdulaziz Alshlahei – $ 50,000.
Speeches and marking figures
In an inspiring speech, Jomana al-Rashid, president of the Film of the Red Sea film, underlined the impact transformer of cinema:“” During these 10 days, we did much more than watching movies. We have changed the stories, transcended cultural barriers and highlighted sometimes invisible human experiences. »»
She also presented impressive statistics concerning this edition:
- 122 films from 85 countries,
- 25 “in conversation with”,
- Over 30,000 tickets sold,
- 720 industrial connections created,
- 7,000 accreditations distributed.
A tribute to the icons
The ceremony also honored emblematic figures of cinema. Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas received honor awards, joining a pantheon of previously rewarded icons, including Emily Blunt, Mona Zaki and Michael Douglas.
Renowned for her exceptional work in the cinema and on stage, Viola Davis has won numerous distinctions and is one of the only three artists to have reached both the triple crown of the actors and the EGOT status. Recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012 and 2017, it was also classified ninth on the list of largest players of the 21st century established by The New York Times in 2020.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is one of the most recognized actresses in the world, rewarded in particular by two National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards. Honored by the Padma Shri in 2016, she also appeared in the list of 100 most influential people in Time and the 100 most powerful women in the world according to Forbes. Pioneer in the field of entertainment, Priyanka has brought industries closer, defending representation and continuing to shape cinema and culture on a global scale.
To close this edition in style, the festival presented the film in Gala Modi: Three days on the wings of madnessdirected by Johnny Depp.
An edition that marks the spirits
This 2024 edition of the RSIFF confirmed the important role of the festival as a cultural and cinematographic crossroads. Through his commitment to promoting emerging voices and diversified stories, he asserts himself as an unmissable event on the global calendar.
Neïla Driss
