All the 2026 Joy Awards Winners

Every January, the Joy Awards transform Riyadh into a stage of pure spectacle. At its core, entertainment is a pursuit of joy, and this ceremony is built entirely around that idea.

Voted on by audiences, the Joy Awards celebrate the year’s best across sports, music, television, film, and digital culture, putting regional talent firmly in the global spotlight. Today, global icons from Oscar Isaac to Travis Fimmel took the stage to hand over the honours, sharing the spotlight with the region’s most influential names - including Mohamed Henedy, Bassem Youssef, Nelly Karim, Huda El Mufti, and more - in a truly cross-cultural celebration.

Tonight, on the unmistakable lavender carpet, the Joy Awards returned for their sixth edition: bigger, bolder, and unapologetically joyful. Here’s a look at all the winners across categories and the honorary figures celebrated in sports, music, cinema, and digital content.

Favourite Female Singer

In typical Joy Awards fashion, Angham and Katy Perry shared a stage. Perry awarded Angham the

Favourite Male Singer

Fadel Chaker
Despite not being able to be present at the awards ceremony, Lebanese singer Fadel Chaker was celebrated for being a regionally beloved voice and prestigious presence.

Favourite Song | Sahak Lsho2 - Fadel Chaker

As is characteristic of the majority of Fadel Chaker’s discography, ‘Sahak Lsho2’ - his latest release - is a certified banger. The proof? It received the Favourite Song Award.

Favourite New Artist | Mohamed Fadel Chaker

Like father, like son. Lebanese musician Mohamed Fadel Chaker was awarded Favourite New Artist. The singer dedicated the award to his father, who could not travel to attend the ceremony.

Favourite Movi | Siko Siko 

Second win of the night for Egyptian comedy hit Siko Siko, taking home Best Film and Best Director for Omar El Mohandes. Lead star Taha Desouky dedicated the award to co-star Essam Omar and writer Mohamed El Dabbah, who, in Desouky’s cheeky words, couldn’t be there because they’re busy filming Ramadan series… while he’s not. The award was presented by Australian actor Travis Fimmel and Egyptian actress Nour Ehab.

Favourite Movie Actress | Shujoun - Wedding of Fire

Kuwaiti actress Shujoun was awarded Favourite Movie Actress, for her role in Wedding of Fire in the Monsters Film Series. Shujoun could not be present at the award ceremony, and instead sent in her thanks virtually.

Favourite Movie Actor | Maged El-Kidwani - Feeha Eh Yaan

Beloved Egyptian star Maged El-Kidwani very reluctantly won Favourite Movie Actor for his role in ‘Feeha Eh Yaani’. Both himself and Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek were nominated for the award, and, upon having his name called, El-Kidwani immediately embraced his colleague. If we had to bet on it, we'd say El-Kidwani voted for Malek to win.

Favourite Gulf Series | Share’e El Asha

Egyptian comedy icon Mohamed Henedy presented the Best Gulf Series Award to the Saudi series Sharea Al Asha. Set in 1970s Riyadh, the show follows Aziza as she reflects on her youth alongside her sister Awatif and Bedouin Wadha, navigating love and change in a transforming society and is directed by Ahmet Katiksiz.

Favourite Egyptian Series | Ashghal Shaqqa Gedan

Squid Game stars Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun presented the Best Egyptian Series Award to comedy hit Ashghal Shaqqa Gedan, starring Hesham Maged and Asmaa Galal and directed by Khaled Diab.

Favourite Levant Series | Salma

Turkish icons Halit Ergenç and Tuba Büyüküstün presented the Best Levant Series Award to the cast and crew of ‘Salma’.

Favourite Series Actress | Karess Bashar - Taht Sabe’ Ard

Renowned Syrian actress Karess Bashar, whose on-screen presence can be sensed miles from the screen thanks to her deeply emotional performance, received the Favourite Series Actress Award for her role in ‘Taht Sabe’ Ard’.

Favourite Series Actor | Abdulmohsen Al Nemr - Al Marsa

Superstars Menna Shalaby and Razanne Al Jammal presented the Favourite Series Actor Award to renowned Saudi actor Abdulmohsen Al Nemr, for his role in Al Marsa.

Favourite Rising Star | Taraf Elebidy - Ommi

Joy Awards’ youngest winner, rising star Taraf Alobidy, received the Best Rising Actress Award, presented by Mai Omar and Mohamed Sami.

Favourite Film Director | Omar El Mohandes - Siko Siko

Egyptian director Omar El Mohandes, the director of 2025 comedy 'Siko Siko', was awarded Favourite Film Director.

Favourite Series Director | Ahmet Katiksiz & Gül Sarıaltın - Share' Al A'sha

The director duo behind the voted favourite Gulf series ‘Share’ Al A’sha’ were also voted Favourite Series Director.

Favourite Male Athlete | Yassin Bounou

The Moroccan goalkeeper who helped Morocco get to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - the team’s rock in turbulent times - was awarded Favourite Male Athlete. He couldn’t receive the award, though, because he was in Morocco preparing for the next day’s AFCON match.

Favourite Female Athlete | Layla ElQahtani

Mexican boxing champion Canelo Álvarez and Egyptian actress Nelly Karim awarded Saudi footballer Layla ElQahtani Favourite Female Athlete. ElQahtani accepted the award on crutches, as resilient as always.

Favourite Male Influencer | Rayan Al-Ahmari

Viral sensation and gaming creator Rayan Al-Ahmari (MjrmGames) won Favourite Male Influencer – in tears, he took the stage and shared a heartfelt speech with a packed, star-studded audience.

Favourite Female Influencer | Rateel Alshehri

At only fourteen years old, Saudi influencer Rateel Alshehri was awarded Favourite Female Influencer. The young winner received the award with enough joy and optimism to save the world - a mission she believes she is capable of achieving, regardless of how young she is.

Lifetime Achievement Award | Farouk Hosny 

Egypt’s former Culture Minister Farouk Hosny received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long championing of Egyptian culture. He remarked that the honour was for Egypt, not for him personally.

Diamond Honorary Award | Nasser Al-Khelaifi

His Excellency Turki AlSheikh awarded Paris Saint-Germain owner businessman, sports executive, former professional tennis player and beIN chairperson Nasser Al-Khelaifi the Diamond Honorary Award.

Honorary Award | Saleh Al-Areedh

Saleh Al-Areedh, the Saudi broadcaster and TV presenter best known for hosting Mawahib wa Afkar, received the Joy Awards Honorary Award.

Honorary Award | Assala

Amina Khalil and Sharokhan presented superstar Assala with an Honorary Award in true cross-cultural, cross-discipline style.

Personality of the Year | Millie Bobby Brown

Egyptian actor Mayan El Sayed and Saudi star Baraa Alem introduced global superstar Millie Bobby Brown - best known for Stranger Things - as she received the Personality of the Year Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award | Forest Whitaker

Forest Steven Whitaker, the American actor, filmmaker and activist, was honoured for a Lifetime of Achievement.

Honorary Award | Ahmed Al Doughaiji

Kuwaiti director Ahmed Al Doughaiji has directed nearly everything: game shows, concerts, and music videos. To recognise his contribution to Arab TV, Al Doughaiji was awarded the Honorary Award.

Honorary Award | Amr Mostafa

Superstar Egyptian composer Amr Mostafa received an Honorary Award, presented by none other than pop icon Robbie Williams.