Festival Awards
- Best Feature Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Documentary
- Best Animation
- Best AI-Short film
- Best AI-Commercial
- Best AI-Music Video
- Best Experimental
- Best Student Film
- Best Arab Film
- Best Director
- Best Actor & Actress
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Sound Design
Meet the Jury
RON PERLMAN
Ron Perlman is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and versatile actors, with a career spanning more than five decades across film, television, and voice acting. Best known for his iconic performances as Hellboy in Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed films, Clay Morrow in Sons of Anarchy, and Vincent in Beauty and the Beast, which earned him a Golden Globe Award, Perlman has built an extraordinary body of work that includes Alien Resurrection, Pacific Rim, Nightmare Alley, Don’t Look Up, and countless other acclaimed productions. Renowned for his commanding screen presence and unforgettable performances, Ron Perlman continues to be one of the industry’s most respected and enduring talents.
SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO
Academy Award nominee and Primetime Emmy Award winner Shohreh Aghdashloo is an internationally acclaimed actress celebrated for her distinctive voice, powerful performances, and remarkable career in film and television. She received worldwide recognition for her Oscar-nominated role in House of Sand and Fog and won an Emmy Award for House of Saddam. Audiences around the world also know her from acclaimed productions including The Expanse, 24, The Lake House, X-Men: The Last Stand, Star Trek Beyond, Arcane, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Widely regarded as one of the most respected actresses of her generation, Aghdashloo has become an influential figure in international cinema through a career defined by depth, elegance, and unforgettable performances.
Dr. Rashed Mohammed Zubair Al Farooq
Dr. Rashed Mohammed Zubair Al Farooq is the Co-Founder and Group CEO of Speedy Comics Group, a leading UAE pop-culture powerhouse uniting comics, collectibles, and entertainment through brands like Speedy Comics, PopCon ME, and HIT Grading & Authentication. A visionary entrepreneur, he has redefined the Middle East’s pop-culture scene and built global connections between East and West. Named CEO of the Year 2025 by CEO Monthly and listed by Rolling Stone MENA among the “Top 10 Most Influential Entrepreneurs,” he continues to set new standards for the industry. Beyond business, Dr. Rashed is a philanthropist dedicated to empowering youth through the Biz Kidz Initiative and supporting the Rashed Center for People of Determination, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and cultural impact.
PHILLIP B. GOLDFINE
Phillip B. Goldfine is an American film and television producer known for his extensive work across independent and studio productions, with a career spanning over 100 film and TV projects. He has produced a wide range of content across genres, often focusing on character-driven and socially relevant storytelling, and has collaborated with major studios and networks throughout Hollywood. Goldfine is an Academy Award winner, having executive produced the Oscar-winning documentary The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life, and is also an Emmy Award winner for his work as a writer on the variety series El Vacilón. In addition to his wins, he has received industry recognition through nominations such as a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical for Tootsie, reflecting his contributions across both film and theatrical production.
LEVON DAVIS
Levon Davis is a seasoned producer and creative executive with over 15 years of experience spanning documentary, commercial, and narrative filmmaking. As VP of Documentaries at Unanimous Media, he leads the development and production of content grounded in family, faith, and sports—pillars that guide the company’s mission to inspire through storytelling.
Throughout his career, Levon has collaborated with top-tier platforms and studios including Netflix, Amazon, ESPN, and Apple, producing content that resonates with global audiences. His work ranges from branded campaigns and feature films to critically acclaimed documentaries.
PETE GOLDFINGER
Pete Goldfinger is an American screenwriter and producer best known for his work in the horror and thriller genres. He frequently collaborates with writing partner Josh Stolberg, and together they have written several films, most notably entries in the Saw franchise, including Jigsaw and Spiral: From the Book of Saw. The duo is known for crafting twist-heavy narratives and psychological tension, often blending mystery with horror elements. In addition to their work on Saw, Goldfinger has contributed to other film and television projects, building a reputation within genre filmmaking for suspense-driven storytelling and inventive plot structures.
ADELLE NAZARIAN
Adelle Nazarian is a globally recognized journalist, documentary filmmaker, geopolitical consultant and entrepreneur with an extensive international career spanning broadcast, print, and digital platforms. She has appeared on major networks including CNN, Fox News, Newsmax, and OANN, covering geopolitics, national security, human rights, and technology. Adelle has interviewed world leaders and reported from global hotspots, gaining a reputation for delivering high-impact stories with insight and integrity. She recently launched The Other View Podcast. Her work bridges East and West, and she continues to shape conversations at the intersection of media, politics, and innovation on a global scale.
Meet the Jury
RON PERLMAN
Ron Perlman is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and versatile actors, with a career spanning more than five decades across film, television, and voice acting. Best known for his iconic performances as Hellboy in Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed films, Clay Morrow in Sons of Anarchy, and Vincent in Beauty and the Beast, which earned him a Golden Globe Award, Perlman has built an extraordinary body of work that includes Alien Resurrection, Pacific Rim, Nightmare Alley, Don’t Look Up, and countless other acclaimed productions. Renowned for his commanding screen presence and unforgettable performances, Ron Perlman continues to be one of the industry’s most respected and enduring talents.
SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO
Dr. Rashed Mohammed Zubair Al Farooq
Dr. Rashed Mohammed Zubair Al Farooq is the Co-Founder and Group CEO of Speedy Comics Group, a leading UAE pop-culture powerhouse uniting comics, collectibles, and entertainment through brands like Speedy Comics, PopCon ME, and HIT Grading & Authentication. A visionary entrepreneur, he has redefined the Middle East’s pop-culture scene and built global connections between East and West. Named CEO of the Year 2025 by CEO Monthly and listed by Rolling Stone MENA among the “Top 10 Most Influential Entrepreneurs,” he continues to set new standards for the industry. Beyond business, Dr. Rashed is a philanthropist dedicated to empowering youth through the Biz Kidz Initiative and supporting the Rashed Center for People of Determination, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and cultural impact.
Phillip B. Goldfine
Phillip B. Goldfine is an American film and television producer known for his extensive work across independent and studio productions, with a career spanning over 100 film and TV projects. He has produced a wide range of content across genres, often focusing on character-driven and socially relevant storytelling, and has collaborated with major studios and networks throughout Hollywood. Goldfine is an Academy Award winner, having executive produced the Oscar-winning documentary The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life, and is also an Emmy Award winner for his work as a writer on the variety series El Vacilón. In addition to his wins, he has received industry recognition through nominations such as a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical for Tootsie, reflecting his contributions across both film and theatrical production.
LEVON DAVIS
Levon Davis is a seasoned producer and creative executive with over 15 years of experience spanning documentary, commercial, and narrative filmmaking. As VP of Documentaries at Unanimous Media, he leads the development and production of content grounded in family, faith, and sports—pillars that guide the company’s mission to inspire through storytelling.
Throughout his career, Levon has collaborated with top-tier platforms and studios including Netflix, Amazon, ESPN, and Apple, producing content that resonates with global audiences. His work ranges from branded campaigns and feature films to critically acclaimed documentaries.
ADELLE NAZARIAN
Adelle Nazarian is a globally recognized journalist, documentary filmmaker, geopolitical consultant and entrepreneur with an extensive international career spanning broadcast, print, and digital platforms. She has appeared on major networks including CNN, Fox News, Newsmax, and OANN, covering geopolitics, national security, human rights, and technology. Adelle has interviewed world leaders and reported from global hotspots, gaining a reputation for delivering high-impact stories with insight and integrity. She recently launched The Other View Podcast. Her work bridges East and West, and she continues to shape conversations at the intersection of media, politics, and innovation on a global scale.
Pete Goldfinger
Pete Goldfinger is an American screenwriter and producer best known for his work in the horror and thriller genres. He frequently collaborates with writing partner Josh Stolberg, and together they have written several films, most notably entries in the Saw franchise, including Jigsaw and Spiral: From the Book of Saw. The duo is known for crafting twist-heavy narratives and psychological tension, often blending mystery with horror elements. In addition to their work on Saw, Goldfinger has contributed to other film and television projects, building a reputation within genre filmmaking for suspense-driven storytelling and inventive plot structures.