Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival to Honor Iconic Actress Yousra

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has announced that Egyptian iconic actress Yousra will receive Gold Yusr Honorary Award at the opening ceremony of its upcoming second edition on December 1.

The veteran actress will be feted alongside acclaimed British director Guy Ritchie and Indian actor and producer Shah Rukh Khan.

The festival will honour the three outstanding talents to recognize their exceptional contribution to the film industry. 

The award recognizes and celebrates boldness and innovation in film, awarding the biggest prizes in the region to both emerging and established voices across the formats of fiction, documentary, and animation. 

It also shines a light on films from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Asia and Africa, ensuring that the Red Sea International Film Festival encompasses a reach that is across the region and beyond.

Unfolding against the backdrop of the Red Sea port of Jeddah, the festival is set to run from 1-10 December and will present 131 feature films and shorts from 61 countries in 41 languages this year.

Yousra, born on March 10, 1955, is an actress, a singer, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The iconic cinematic legend is one of the most recognizable names in the region and has been gracing the silver screen for more than 50 years. 

Since the 1970s, Yousra has starred in some of the most important films in the history of Egyptian cinema, appearing in over 100 films. 

Her roles in films and TV series continue to influence and inspire generations to this day.

“Egyptian star Yousra is one of the pioneering women in the film industry and is an inspiring cultural figure in the Arab world,” Red Sea CEO Mohammed Al Turki said in a statement on Monday.

"We are pleased to celebrate and honour her alongside stars Guy Ritchie and Shah Rukh Khan in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the world of the film industry. The three play an important role in the field, and we look forward to hosting and welcoming them in Jeddah.”