Georges Khabbaz has just added a new, fifth award to his career, winning Best Actor for his role in the film “Younan” by director Amir Fakhr Eldin, who in turn won the Best Director award. The honors were announced during the closing ceremony of the Red Sea International Film Festival, attended by Anthony Hopkins, who was being honored, as well as Johnny Depp and Idris Elba, alongside a large gathering of leading filmmakers and cinema stars from around the world.
Khabbaz dedicated his award to his homeland, Lebanon, while the Lebanese film “Stars of Hope and Pain” by director Cyril Aris won the Best Screenplay award.
The Red Sea International Film Festival is considered one of the most important festivals in the Arab world, with a world-class level of organization and guests. The award was presented to Khabbaz by Oscar-winning actor Riz Ahmed, who praised Khabbaz’s exceptional performance, along with the president of the jury, four-time Oscar-winning director Sean Baker, and internationally acclaimed Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki, who expressed in her speech how proud she is of Georges Khabbaz, saying that he, in turn, makes her feel proud and deeply connected to her Lebanese identity.