The fifth edition of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea International Film Festival kicked off in Jeddah with the premiere of the biopic Giant and honorary awards to several industry figures. Michael Caine, appearing in a wheelchair with his grandchildren, stole the spotlight as Vin Diesel presented him with an honor. The event highlighted the festival's growth and drew a star-studded crowd including Ana de Armas and Queen Latifah.
Opening Night Highlights
The Red Sea International Film Festival launched its fifth edition on December 4, 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, opening with Rowan Athale’s biopic Giant. The film stars Amir El-Masry as boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed, with Pierce Brosnan portraying his trainer Brendan Ingle, though Brosnan did not attend. Naseem Hamed himself was present in the audience.
Honorary awards were presented to Oscar winners Michael Caine and Juliette Binoche, as well as director Rachid Bouchareb and filmmaker Stanley Tong. Caine, accompanied by his three grandchildren, received his award from longtime friend Vin Diesel, who delivered a speech in tribute.
Michael Caine's Speech
Wheeling onto the stage, Caine engaged the crowd with humor and reflection. "Thank you for the welcome. My name is Michael Caine," he began, adding, "It’s not my real name but it’s a realistic name. It’s the one that made all the money." He shared his Cockney roots in London, his 52-year marriage, and his focus on family, noting, "I have loads of photographs but none are of any of the movies I am in, it’s just family, because that’s my life."
Caine referenced his two Oscars—one with a Cockney accent and one American—and expressed surprise at the honor in a place he had never visited. "I’ve seen it on the television but I never thought I would win anything here and I’ve won one… I want to thank you for the surprise," he said.
Festival Context and Attendance
The ceremony took place at the Red Sea Film Foundation’s new headquarters in Jeddah’s culture quarter, a far cry from the 2021 inaugural event in a makeshift theater. Chairwoman Jomana R. Alrashid emphasized the festival's impact: "Over the past five years, the Red Sea Film Foundation has quietly but surely built what many once thought was impossible. It’s more than just a foundation and more than a festival but rather an ecosystem where filmmakers from across the three continents are not only supported, but empowered to lead."
Red carpet attendees included Kirsten Dunst, Queen Latifah, Jessica Alba, Ana de Armas, Uma Thurman, and Naomie Harris. Jury president Sean Baker was joined by members Riz Ahmed, Naomie Harris, Nadine Labaki, and Olga Kurylenko.