Riyadh Shines as Global Legends and Arab Stars Align at the 2025 Joy Awards
Riyadh Shines as Global Legends and Arab Stars Align at the
2025 Joy Awards Davodi
by Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili

The Saudi Joy Awards, 2025 in Riyadh is one of the most prestigious events in the entertainment industry in the region. As part of the larger Saudi Entertainment and Culture Festival (Joy), this awards ceremony aims to recognize and celebrate the incredible talent, innovation, and cultural contributions that have shaped the Kingdom’s entertainment scene over the past year. Set against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a global hub for entertainment, the Saudi Joy Awards 2025 is a powerful reflection of the country’s growing influence on the global entertainment landscape. This year’s awards not only celebrate the achievements of Saudi creatives but also recognize the increasing role of Saudi Arabia as a leading cultural force in the Middle East and beyond.

The Saudi Joy Awards 2025 serve as a platform to highlight the rich diversity of the Kingdom’s entertainment landscape. From award-winning films and breakout TV series to innovative video games and music artists, the awards covered a broad spectrum of categories that showcase the depth and variety of talent across Saudi Arabia and the region.
The Authentic Lavender Carpet and The magnificent Venue
A Stunning Backdrop for Entertainment Excellence Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, once again served as the host city for the Saudi Joy Awards 2025. Known for its modern skyline, luxurious hotels, and cutting-edge infrastructure, Riyadh provides the perfect setting for this high-profile event. The awards ceremony took place at one of Riyadh’s most iconic venues, where stars from around the world, along with local talent all walk on the lavender carpet used in joy awards as it represents part of the beautiful Saudi landscape that is inspired by the lavender fields of Saudi Arabia.
The 2025 Joy Awards highlighted the year’s top achievements across multiple entertainment spheres. Renowned singers Assala Nasri and Ayed took home accolades for their musical brilliance. Now in its fifth year, the Joy Awards has firmly established itself strongly as the Grammys, Emmys, and Oscars. Its ability to bring together the region’s brightest stars, broadcasting the event live on MBC channels and Shahid, ensures it continues to shine as the premier celebration of entertainment in the Arab world. The evening was not just a night of awards, it was a testament to the Kingdom’s vision for a thriving cultural industry and a global stage where talent from all corners of the world can meet.
On Saturday evening, The Kingdom’s capital rolled out the lavender carpet, welcoming A-list celebrities from across the entertainment world. The evening started with a great performance by American singer Christina Aguilera, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. Among the prominent Arab stars in attendance were legendary figures like Mohammed Abdo, Majid al Mohandis, Assala, Yusra, Cyrine Abdelnour. They were joined by Hollywood heavyweights, including Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, and Amanda Seyfried, and the legend Andrea Bocelli, who added to the event’s star-studded allure.

In keeping with the event’s grand scale, the ceremony featured state-of-the-art production and a dazzling display of lights, sound, and technology, capturing the essence of the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a global entertainment hub. Riyadh’s transformation into a cultural and creative epicenter is one of the central pillars of Vision 2030, and the Saudi Joy Awards play a key role in further solidifying the city’s status as a world-class entertainment destination.
Recognizing outstanding achievements in Saudi and Arab cinema, from gripping dramas to groundbreaking comedies and documentaries and celebrating the best in regional television, from scripted dramas to reality series and groundbreaking news coverage. Honoring top music talents in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, and beyond, with a focus on emerging stars and established performers who have defined the music scene over the past year. As for the Digital Content Creator. With the rise of social media platforms, this category celebrates the most influential and innovative digital creators, including vloggers, influencers, and content producers who have had a significant impact in the region. Acknowledging the visionary directors and producers who have pushed the boundaries of entertainment, film production, and creative storytelling.
Riyadh was once again alight with star power on Saturday evening as the 2025 Joy Awards unfolded, a dazzling celebration of Arab entertainment alongside global icons. Hosted by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, the event has quickly become one of the region’s most prestigious industry ceremonies, uniting the finest talents in music, film, and television. Stars like Egyptian actors Nelly Karim and Ahmed Ezz mingled with Hollywood legends such as Andrea Bocelli, Matthew McConaughey, Freeman, and Hans Zimmer. Each was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their extraordinary contributions to cinema, symbolizing the merging of Arab and global creative forces. This was expected from his excellency, Turki Alalshikh, The adviser at the Royal Court under the rank of Minister and the current Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority who pays great attention to the smallest details and each year produces high-quality surprises for Saudi Arabia, as all this success is part of the great 2030 vision of his royal highness, the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al- Saud, who is the first supporter to all achievements and success in all industries under the patronage of king Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al- Saud.
An amazing moment happened during the ceremony was when Prince Abdul Rahman bin Musa’id Al Saud, the writer, poet, and former president of the prominent Saudi football club Al-Hilal, presented the lifetime achievement award to the great legend Andrea Bocelli and made a great speech about how Saudi Arabian citizens are proud of this success that reflected on the guests joy and gratitude toward the great welcoming and hospitality towards the guest’s experiences during their stay in Riyadh. Another moment was about Abdullah Al-Muhaisen, who is a pioneering Saudi director, and is considered one of the trailblazers in the film industry in Saudi Arabia. He is recognized as the first Saudi specialist in cinema, playing a key role in laying the foundations for the concept of film production in the Kingdom. Throughout his career, Al-Muhaisen sought to create content that reflected Saudi culture and promoted local cinema on the global stage.

Some of his most notable works include the films Assassination of a City and Shadows of Silence, the latter of which was nominated for the final competition at the 2007 Rome Film Festival, bringing him both local and international acclaim. In this year of 2025, he was honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the Joy Awards, a recognition of his pioneering contributions to the growth of Saudi cinema. This award celebrates his remarkable career and solidifies his status as one of the most influential figures in shaping the modern cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia. He received his award from Turki Alalshikh. Al-Muhaisen made an unforgettable speech about his journey and he unveiled the name of the first supporter in Saudi Arabia for cinema and the arts since 1975, who supported and took care of all the first artistic productions in Saudi Arabia, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
And just remember the great performance of Hans Zimmer, who made a wonderful speech after receiving his award from the great musician Omar khairat, who was pleased with that remarkable performance of Zimmer performed, pirates suite’, the magical, energetic, and romantic music that fulfills the scenes of the spectacular movie series Pirates of the Caribbean
The night also featured two spectacular surprise performances. Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury and Canadian crooner Michael Bublé teamed up for a soulful rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” In another unexpected moment, Saudi music icon Mohammed Abdo shared the stage with world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, creating a magical fusion of East and West in an unforgettable captivating duet to honor the late unforgetable poet Prince Badr bin Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who passed away in 2024.
Categories are included:
– Best Film: Welad Rizk 3: El Qadia
– Best Actress in a Film: Hannah El-Zahed (Fasel Men El Lahazat El Lazeeza)
– Best Actor in a Film: Hesham Maged (Ex Merati)
– Best Gulf Series: Shabab El Bomb 12
– Best Egyptian Series: Nema El Avoccato
– Best Levant Series: AlRawabi School for Girls season two
– Best Actress in a Series: Huda Hussein (Zawja Waheda La Takfi)
– Best Actor in a Series: Samer Ismail (Al Ameel)
– Best Song: El Jaw by Majid Al-Mohandes
– Best Female Artist: Assala Nasri
– Best Male Artist: Ayed
– Most Popular Song: Howa Enta Meen by Angham and Hegeli Mojoua by Tamer Ashour
– Best New Artist: Rakan Al Sa’ed
– Best Male Athlete: Salem Al Dawsari
– Best Female Athlete: Hattan Alsaif
– Best Male Influencer: Shoong Boong (Ahmad Al Qahtani)
– Best Female Influencer: Narin Amara (Narin’s Beauty)
– Best Rising Star: Al-Anoud Abdulhakim (Beyt Al Ankaboot)
– Best TV Series Director: Rasha Sharbatji (Wlad Badee’a)
– Best Film Director: Tarek Al-Eryan (Welad Rizk 3: El Qadia)
– Lifetime Achievement Award Winners: Yasser Al Azma, Morgan Freeman, Hanz Zimmer, Andrea Bocelli, Abdullah Al Muhaisen, Abdullah Al Ruwaished, JK Youn
– Personality of the Year: Mather McConaughey
– Joy Honoraries: Guy Ritchie, Hrithik Roshan, Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Saad Khedr, Abdul Rahman Al Aql, Ibrahim Al Sallal, Mariam Al Saleh, Ali Ibrahim, Abdel Rahman Al-Khateeb
– Diamond Entertainment Industry Award: Poet Badr bin Abdulmohsen
Conclusion
The Saudi Joy Awards provide an unparalleled opportunity for recognition. It represents the hard work and dedication of those shaping the future of Saudi entertainment. For emerging artists, filmmakers, and musicians, being nominated or winning an award at the Saudi Joy Awards can be a career-defining moment, opening doors to new opportunities both regionally and internationally. As the entertainment scene in Saudi Arabia continues to thrive, events like the Saudi Joy Awards play a vital role in showcasing the Kingdom’s cultural richness, creativity, and vision for the future.