Five breakout talents from across the region honoured at the Red Sea International Film Festival
Screen International has named its 2025 Arab Stars of Tomorrow, part of the magazine and website’s ‘Stars’ programme, which highlights new talent in cinema globally. The long-running initiative spotlights the most exciting emerging talent from across the Arab world, honouring five actors, writers, and directors whose bold creative voices are shaping the future of regional cinema. The five talents were unveiled today at the Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) today, in partnership with Film AlUla.
Launched nearly a decade ago, ‘Arab Stars of Tomorrow’ has become one of the most widely respected talent-recognition platforms in the Middle East. As part of the Festival’s commitment to championing new voices and expanding opportunities for Arab filmmakers, the initiative has played a significant role in accelerating the careers of its honourees, many of whom have gone on to premiere at major festivals, secure international representation, and lead acclaimed global productions.
This year’s cohort brings together a dynamic group of creatives whose work reflects the depth, diversity, and ambition of contemporary Arab storytelling. They include Palestine 36 actor Karin Daoud Anaya (Palestine); Algerian filmmaker Zoulikha Tahar (El Sardines); Cotton Queen director Suzannah Mirghani (Sudan, based in Qatar); and actors Josef Akiki (How To Shoot a Ghost – Lebanon) and Lamar Feddan (Hijra – Saudi Arabia), joining a rich line of alumni that include the likes of Adam Bessa, Sofia Alaoui, Mounia Akl and Alaa Eddine Aljem and Maria Bahrawi.
The 2025 selection highlights voices whose work demonstrates artistic courage, originality, and a deep connection to the stories and communities that define the region today. Their work has spanned intimate character dramas, imaginative explorations of heritage, and narratives that capture the shifting realities of the Arab world.
To celebrate the honourees, Film AlUla hosted the cohort for an exclusive photoshoot set against some of Saudi Arabia’s most breathtaking natural and historical landscapes, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra in AlUla. The cinematic backdrop – carved into the ancient sandstone of northwest Arabia – reflects the spirit of creativity, heritage, and discovery that continues to inspire a new generation of filmmakers. The five talents then travelled to Al-Balad, the historic heart of Jeddah, to participate in Red Sea IFF’s fifth edition and engage with industry leaders, producers, and global festival programmers.
Download the RSIFF Mobile app on Apple App Store and Google Play or search ‘Red Sea Film app’ online to find out more about the 2025 RSIFF schedule. For more about RSIFF 2025, visit www.redseafilmfest.com.
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