‘Lost Land’ makes history, wins best film at Red Sea International Film Festival

A historic moment unfolded at the 2025 Red Sea International Film Festival as Japanese filmmaker Akio Fujimoto ’s Lost Land , the first feature film shot entirely in the Rohingya language , one of Myanmar’s native languages , clinched the coveted Best Film Award , the Golden Yusr . The recognition comes with a cash prize of USD 100,000 .

Akio Fujimoto was presented the Best Film award for Lost Land by filmmaker Sean Baker , who led the festival’s jury , during a ceremony celebrating films from around the world .

Lost Land is a poignant drama following two Rohingya siblings, nine-year-old Somira and her younger brother Shafi , as they attempt to escape persecution in Myanmar . Armed only with vague directions and each other, they navigate treacherous borders, dangerous smugglers, and a world rife with fear and exploitation in hopes of reaching an uncle in Malaysia . The film has been praised for its intimate portrayal of resilience , courage , and the human cost of displacement .

The Rohingya language , spoken by the Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar’s Rakhine State , is one of the country’s native languages and belongs to the Indo-Aryan family . Closely related to Bengali and Chittagonian , it is spoken by Rohingya communities in Myanmar as well as refugee populations in Bangladesh , Malaysia , and other countries. Historically lacking a standardized script, it is today written in both Arabic-based and Latin-based scripts . Lost Land is the first feature film to be made entirely in this language, marking a major milestone in representation for the Rohingya community on the global stage.

Earlier in 2025, Lost Land premiered in the Orizzonti section at the Venice Film Festival , where it received the Special Jury Prize . It also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards , further cementing its critical acclaim.

Other notable winners at the festival included Cherien Dabis’ family drama All That’s Left of You , which received the Silver Yusr and USD 30,000 , and Jordan’s official Oscar submission exploring Palestinian history .

Additional awardees were:

• Yusr Jury Prize (USD 10,000)

• : Hijra by Shahad Ameen

• Yusr Best Director (USD 10,000)

• : Ameer Fakher Eldin for Yunan

• Yusr Best Actor

• : George Khabbaz for Yunan

• Yusr Best Actress

• : Seo Su-Bin for The World of Love

• Film AlUla Best Saudi Film

• : Hijra by Shahad Ameen

The festival concluded on December 13, drawing a glittering crowd of international celebrities , including Bollywood stars Kartik Aaryan, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt , and Kriti Sanon , making Jeddah a hub of global cinematic celebration .