An unforgettable scene left its mark at the recently concluded fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival. During the event, Egyptian actress Mariam Sherif won the “Yusr” for Best Actress for her role in “Snow White – The Untold Story” (2024). She stood out against 16 other talented international competitors.
Mariam Sherif, who was in front of the camera for the first time, impressed the jury with her performance. Guided by the workshops of director Tghreed Abu Al-Hassan and her natural determination, she was able to captivate attention and win the prestigious award. Renowned actor and director Spike Lee, the chairman of the jury, personally presented the award to Sherif, emphasizing the value of her work.
The film received a neutral reception by emphasizing the dramatic character rather than the size of its performer. This approach helped to avoid any bias in favor of people of small stature in the artistic evaluation.
But Mariam Sherif was not the only one to be rewarded on the Egyptian side. Khalid Mansour’s “In Search of a Haven for Mr. Rambo” won the Jury Prize. This daring film, which defies many conventions of Egyptian cinema, has managed to hold its own despite the constraints of society.
These Egyptian successes are a testament to the vitality of Arab cinema, which seems to be doing rather well despite the obstacles and barriers it faces.
The Tunisian film “Les Enfants Rouges” (2024), directed by Lotfi Ashour, was one of the big winners of the event, winning the prestigious Golden Yusr for Best Film and the Best Director award. This film deals with armed extremism in the name of religion and highlights its persistence and latent danger, despite the apparent tranquility.
On the Iraqi side, “Songs for Adam” (2024), written and directed by Oday Rasheed, won the award for best screenplay. This film explores the theme of innocence through the eyes of a child confronted with the death of his grandfather.
In Saudi Arabia, “Hobal” (2024) by Abdulaziz Alshlahei won the Audience Award, thus demonstrating the director’s success in reaching viewers.
Mariam Sherif brilliantly illustrated that people of small stature can fully flourish in the artistic world. Her talent and performance proved that she fully deserves her place, not to be reduced to her size but considered an artist in her own right.
These awards and these significant works highlight the richness and diversity of Arab cinema, as well as the ability of artists to touch and move their audiences. Let us salute these talents who defy prejudices and offer an authentic and powerful vision of society and humanity.