Singers Assala Nasri and Ayed, television series AlRawabi School for Girls and Nema El Avoccato and the film Welad Al Rizk: El Qadia were among the big winners of the 2025 Joy Awards.
Held in Riyadh on Saturday, the star-studded event showcased the creme de la creme of the Arab world's music and film talents, alongside internationally renowned figures. Actors Nelly Karim and Ahmed Ezz graced the lavender carpet alongside Hollywood greats such as actor Morgan Freeman and film composer Hans Zimmer, both of whom were honoured with lifetime achievement awards for their outstanding career contributions. Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, who was honoured at last year's event, was also among the attendees.
Now in its fifth year and organised by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, the Joy Awards has grown to become one of the region's most prestigious industry events – a Middle Eastern counterpart to the Grammy, Emmy and Academy Awards combined. This ambitious approach ensures the ceremony regularly gathers the largest number of Arab talents under one roof for a glittering evening broadcast live on MBC channels and the streaming platform Shahid.
Here is the full list of winners for the 2025 Joy Awards.
Best Film
WINNER: Welad Rizk 3: El Qadia
From the Ashes
Rehla 404
Shabab Al Bomb
Best Actress in a Film
WINNER: Hannah El-Zahed (Fasel Men El Lahazat El Lazeeza)
Khairiah Abulaban (From the Ashes)
Nour AlGhandour (Honeymoonish)
Yasmine Sabri (Abo Nasab)
Best Actor in a Film
WINNER: Hesham Maged (Ex Merati)
Ahmed Ezz (Welad Rizk 3: El Qadia)
Sohayb Godus (Ahlam Al Asr)
Faisal Al Essa (Shabab Al Bomb)
Best Gulf Series
WINNER: Shabab El Bomb 12
Thanawiyyat Al Naseem
Zawja Waheda La Takfi
Mathaf Yeddi
Best Egyptian Series
WINNER: Nema El Avoccato
Al Atawla
Ashghal Shaqa
Kamel El Addad +1
Best Levant Series
WINNER: AlRawabi School for Girls season two
Alameel
Lo'bat Hob
Wlad Badee'a
Best Actress in a Series
WINNER: Huda Hussein (Zawja Waheda La Takfi)
Elham Ali (Sondos 2)
Sulafa Mimar (Wlad Badee'a)
Nour Ali (Lo'bat Hob)
Best Actor in a Series
WINNER: Samer Ismail (Al Ameel)
Ayman Zidan (Al Ameel)
Abdulaziz Alshehri (Forsan Graih)
Moatasem Al Nahar (Lo'bat Hob)
Best Song
WINNER: El Jaw by Majid Al-Mohandes
Lammah by Ayed
Haygely Mawgow3 by Tamer Ashour
Wein by Al-Shami
Best Female Artist
WINNER: Assala Nasri
Elissa
Angham
Sherine Abdelwahab
Best Male Artist
WINNER: Ayed
Al-Shami
Tamer Ashour
Silawi
Most Popular Song
WINNER: Howa Enta Meen by Angham
WINNER: Hegeli Mojoua by Tamer Ashour
Best New Artist
WINNER: Rakan Al Sa’ed
TUL8TE
Khaled AlSarraf
Wijdane Said
Best Male Athlete
WINNER: Salem Al Dawsari
Yassine Bounou
Ayman Hussein
Houssem Aouar
Best Female Athlete
WINNER: Hattan Alsaif
Dunya Aboutaleb
Samaher Kurdi
Hana Goda
Best Male Influencer
WINNER: Shoong Boong (Ahmad Al Qahtani)
Abo Flah (Hassan Suleiman)
Osama Marwah
Naif Hamdan
Best Female Influencer
WINNER: Narin Amara (Narin's Beauty)
Sara Al Wari
Douha Laribi
Kadi AlJuraisi
Best Rising Star
WINNER: Al-Anoud Abdulhakim (Beyt Al Ankaboot)
Rasel Al-Otaibi (Sondos 2)
Mohammed Al-Harbi (Sondos 2)
Nayef Albahar (Thanawiyyat Al Naseem)
Best TV Series Director
WINNER: Rasha Sharbatji (Wlad Badee'a)
Ahmed Khaled Mousa (Al Atawla)
Ali Al-Ali (Zawja Waheda La Takfi)
Mohammed Sami (Nema El Avoccato)
Best Film Director
WINNER: Tarek Al-Eryan (Welad Rizk 3: El Qadia)
Ali Al-Kalthami (Night Courier)
Fatima Al-Banawi (Basma)
Moataz Al-Touni (Ex Merati)
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
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
BMW X7 xDrive 50i
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Power: 462hp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh600,000
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WonderTree%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20April%202016%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Waqas%20and%20Muhammad%20Usman%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karachi%2C%20Pakistan%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%2C%20and%20Delaware%2C%20US%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Special%20education%2C%20education%20technology%2C%20assistive%20technology%2C%20augmented%20reality%3Cbr%3EN%3Cstrong%3Eumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGrowth%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Grants%20from%20the%20Lego%20Foundation%2C%20UAE's%20Anjal%20Z%2C%20Unicef%2C%20Pakistan's%20Ignite%20National%20Technology%20Fund%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
