Sean Baker To Head Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival Jury
Sean Baker has been unveiled as the jury president for the upcoming fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival, running from December 4 to 13.
The jury president stint comes just eight months after Baker’s last film Anora swept the board at the 97th Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Editing, and Actress for Mikey Madison.
Baker is also known for his breakout film Tangerine (2015), shot entirely on an iPhone 5S and as well as The Florida Project (2017), which earned actor Willem Dafoe a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and BAFTA Award.
The director and his jury will deliberate on the 16 features being showcased in the main competition and in the running for the Yusr Awards. Last year’s winner of top prize of the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film was Red Path by Lotfi Achour.
“Sean Baker is a trailblazing director whose dedication to championing authentic and meaningful storytelling through film is truly inspiring. He has continually pushed the boundaries of cinema with authentic storytelling and an unmistakable artistic vision, and we deeply admire his commitment to independent filmmaking,” said Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation.
“We are very proud to be bringing him on board to lead our features jury this year, fresh off his record-breaking success at the 2025 Academy Awards for our very special 5th edition.”
Baker follows in the wake of Oliver Stone, who was jury president, Baz Luhrmann and Spike Lee last year.
“It’s an honour to serve as Jury President for the Red Sea International Film Festival this year, taking the baton from Spike Lee,” said Baker.
“I’ve long admired how the festival champions bold, diverse voices from across the globe, and this year’s Feature Competition showcases some of the most daring and exciting new voices from the Arab world, Africa and Asia. Festivals like Red Sea IFF give independent films a vital platform and connect them with a global audience, I’m thrilled to be part of that celebration of cinema and look forward to engaging with the incredible titles in the competition line-up.”
