There may have been no better example of the high-wire act organizers of the third annual Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) were forced to undertake before and during its 9 day run than the closing night awards ceremony. During its nine day run in Jedda, Saudi Arabia RSIFF strove to highlight and promote the latest regional and global cinematic achievements, while simultaneously acknowledging, yet sequestering, the politics surrounding recent current events in the Middle East. They succeeded remarkably well on both fronts.

Commencing less than two months after Hamas’ armed attack on Israel and Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, some industry professionals wondered if RSIFF would actually be held at all this year. Festival organizers were wisely cautious about the optics of holding a celebratory artistic-driven event in the proximity of a growing military conflict. Indeed, the Yusr Awards ceremony, held on 7 December, could have easily devolved into a stream of acceptance speeches filled with political protestations. Attendees seemed to be just as weary of causing a fuss with the few wearing Palestinian keffiyehs in a show of support taking them off when entering the ceremony.

Ultimately, the festival was able to hand out the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film to Zarrar Kahn’s “In Flames” without incident. The Pakastani film tells the story of a mother and daughter living in Karachi who contend with patriarchal inheritance laws after a grandfather’s death. The daughter begins having nightmares which crossover into reality, causing “In Flames” to tread into supernatural horror territory. The film premiered earlier this year at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs (Director’s Fortnight) during Cannes.

“In Flames” topped 17 films appearing in competition and was selected by a jury headed up by filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, who presided as president. Joining him were Egyptian actress Amina Khali, Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman, Indian actress Freida Pinto and Spanish actress Paz Vega. The 23 short films which appeared in competition were judged by Turkish-German filmmaker Fatih Akin, Saudi filmmaker and critic Hana Alomair and French-Moroccan actor Assaad Bouab.

The Silver Yusr went to Indian filmmaker Tarsem Singh for “Dear Jassi” fresh off its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on the true story of Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu, a Canadian Punjabi woman who secretly marries a man from a working-class background against her family’s wishes. Without spoiling the story, let’s just say it takes a Shakespearean turn of events.

The two moments when the ceremony could have plunged headfirst into politics came when the Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsi accepted awards for her movie, “The Teacher.” The first was for Best Actor, given to the film’s iconic star, Saleh Bakri, who was not present. Later “The Teacher,” which also premiered at TIFF, would win the Jury Prize and Nabulsi called for an end to the conflict in Gaza, choosing her words slowly and purposefully. Nabulsi’s film was shot entirely in the West Bank and centers around a school teacher who struggling between his commitment to political resistance and caring for one of his students. It depicts the stark realities and differences of modern-day life in Palestine for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Another moment which could have gotten tricky was when Palestinain actress Mouna Hawa won the Best Actress trophy for the riveting “Inshallah A Boy.” This is another film that revolves around patriarchal property inheritance rights. It bowed during this year’s Cannes Film Festival at the Semaine de la Critique (Critic’s Week).

Picking up Best Director was Shokir Kholikov from Uzbekistan. His film “Sunday” is a quiet gem about an elderly couple living a simple rural life which is upturned by the modern amenities their children force upon them. Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters” won the Asharq Documentary award on its way to what seems like a future Oscar nomination. The Film AlUla Audience Award for a Saudi film went to another standout title from this year’s selection, “Norah” from director Tawfik Alzaidi.

It is worth noting that RSIFF has become a star-studded affair. Actor Nicolas Cage was on-hand during the ceremony to pick up an honorary award, though he was hardly the only celebrity in attendance. Alia Bhatt, Halle Berry, Adrien Brody, Andrew Garfield, Henry Golding and Dhafer L’Abidine were among many others. Earlier in the week actors Johnny Depp and Will Smith were also present.

A complete list of winners of the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival is as follows:

Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film
“In Flames” by Zarrar Kahn

Silver Yusr for Best Feature Film
“Dear Jassi” by Tarsem Singh

Jury Prize
Farah Nabulsi for “The Teacher”

Best Director
Shokir Kholikov for “Sunday”

Best Actor
Saleh Bakri for “The Teacher”

Best Actress
Mouna Hawa for “Inshallah A Boy”

Best Screenplay
“Six Feet Over” by Karim Bensalah and Jamal Belmahi

Asharq Documentary
“Four Daughters” by Kaouther Ben Hania

Chopard Rising Talent Trophy
Nour Alkhadra

Film AlUla Audience Award: Saudi Film
“Norah” Saudi Arabia (Competition)

Film AlUla Audience Award: Non-Saudi Film
“Hopeless”, South Korea

Best Cinematic Contribution
“Omen” by Baloji

Silver Yusr for Best Short Film
“Suitcase” by Saman Hosseinpuor and Ako Zandkarimi

Golden Yusr for Best Short Film
“Somewhere in Between” by Dahlia Nemlich