Stone will also present a classic film that inspired him, "Z by Costa Gavras", a film about a Greek progressive deputy who is assassinated.
Oliver Stone has been appointed to head the jury that will oversee the Red Sea International Film Festival Competition, which is focussed on original, daring productions by emerging and established voices, particularly those from the Arab world and the Global South.
Stone is known for penning Scarface and Midnight Express, directing Platoon and Natural Born Killers, to name a few.
The jury will give out the following prizes: Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film (Trophy, and $100,000), as well as Silver Yusrs for Best Director (Trophy, and $50,000), Best Screenplay (Trophy), Best Actor (Trophy), Best Actress (Trophy) and Best Cinematic Contribution (Trophy).
The Yusr Awards are named after the black coral formations found in the Red Sea off Jeddah’s coast. The results will be announced during the awarding ceremony on March 19, 2020.
The festival is Saudi Arabia’s first international film festival and presents global cinema, with a focus on the Global South. It will take place from March 12 to 21 in Jeddah Old Town, on the Red Sea coast.
Commenting on Stone’s participation in leading the Jury, Festival Director Mahmoud Sabbagh, said: “We are most pleased to have Oliver Stone leading our Jury. Stone is a one-of-a-kind. His incredible films about the Vietnam War and American political life have changed our thinking of history, giving new perspectives and challenging accepted truths. He cherishes originality, craft and creativity, values at the heart of the Red Sea Film Festival. For a new breed of filmmakers competing for the Yusr awards, his watchful eye and sense of authorship will be inspirational.”
