Spike Lee will preside over the jury of the fourth version of Saudi Arabia‘s Pink Sea Movie Pageant.

“Wanting in the direction of our fourth version, we’re honored to welcome the legendary Spike Lee as our president of jury for the competition this 12 months,” mentioned Jomana Al Rashid, chairwoman of the Pink Sea Movie Basis, in an announcement on Thursday.

“Spike is a pioneering director whose iconic work has made a long-lasting impression on each movie as a medium and tradition at giant,” she continued. “His power, incisiveness and real championing of creativity and new voices makes him an excellent match to steer our jury for this 12 months — we stay up for him participating with the burgeoning expertise in our competitors lineup.”

Spike Lee commented: “Having been fortunate sufficient to expertise first-hand the unbelievable filmmaking, environment and creativity on the Pink Sea Worldwide Movie Pageant in 2022, it’s a privilege to be returning this 12 months as president of the jury. Alongside making a melting pot for cultures to come back collectively in celebration of our necessary art-form, it’s very important to proceed to platform younger and rising filmmakers who’re discovering their voice within the business, and it’s thrilling to see first-time administrators from throughout the Arab area, Asia and Africa as a part of the competitors lineup this 12 months. I’m wanting ahead to diving in to this system and making what I’m certain will probably be some very robust choices alongside the main luminaries on the jury.”

The 16-title competitors will characteristic standout films from the Arab area, Asia and Africa.

The fest will open with the world premiere of Egyptian director Karim Shenawy’s musical drama “The Story of Daye’s Household” and shut with Michael Gracey’s profile of British pop star Robbie Williams, “Higher Man,” which is screening as a gala occasion.

Lee can even take part within the competition’s In Dialog strand alongside different massive names resembling Viola Davis, who’s being honored.

The fourth version of the Pink Sea Worldwide Movie Pageant will happen in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the Pink Sea’s japanese shore from Dec. 5-14 in Jeddah’s Outdated City of Al Balad.