The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has announced a major appointment for its upcoming fifth edition: critically acclaimed and Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Sean Baker will serve as the President of the Features Competition Jury.
Taking the baton from fellow acclaimed director, Spike Lee who served as the Jury Chair for 2024, Baker’s presence will once again underscore the RSIFF’s rising profile on the global cinema stage, attracting top-tier talent to evaluate the best of contemporary international and regional filmmaking.
Sean Baker is widely celebrated for his unique, authentic, and empathetic approach to storytelling, focusing on marginalised or overlooked communities. His most famous works include The Florida Project (2017), which earned him an Oscar nomination, and Red Rocket (2021).
And Baker's involvement in this year's edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival is expected to bring a distinctive artistic sensibility to the selection jury, which is tasked with selecting winners from the Red Sea Competition lineup.
The Red Sea Features Competition celebrates the full spectrum of cinema, recognising excellence across narratives, animations, and documentaries produced in Asia and Africa, including the Arab region, making Baker's leadership vital in recognising emerging talent and diverse cinematic voices. This year, sixteen features will compete for the distinguished Yusr Awards, with the winners determined by Sean Baker and the highly regarded jury. For context, the top honour — the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film — was awarded to Lotfi Achour's Red Path in the previous 2024 edition.
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As Jury President, Baker will oversee the deliberations for several prestigious awards, including the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film.
The Yusr Awards are central to the RSIFF’s mission, offering significant recognition and financial support to directors from the selected regions. Baker’s role extends beyond mere judging; he represents the festival's commitment to independent, boundary-pushing cinema that challenges conventions and connects with audiences globally.
The announcement follows the news that the festival will open with the boxing biopic Giant, further solidifying the 2025 edition as a showcase of global talent, from established Hollywood names like executive producer Sylvester Stallone to crucial industry figures like Baker. His appointment is expected to generate significant buzz, not only for the competition but also for the masterclasses and industry discussions that define the ten-day cultural event. By inviting a filmmaker known for championing the underdog, the RSIFF reinforces its position as a champion of new and vital voices in international cinema.
Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF),
From December 4 - 13, 2025, Al Balad, Jeddah
@redseafilm
@bakermovies
