The Red sea International Film Festival celebrated the power of women in cinema on Friday with its seventh annual “Women in Cinema” ceremony. Held at the elegant Jeddah Yacht Club,the event honored trailblazing female voices shaping the film industry both locally and internationally,inspiring a new generation of talent across the Arab world,Africa,and Asia.
This ceremony reflects the Red Sea Film Foundation’s unwavering commitment to supporting female talent and amplifying their achievements, both in front of and behind the camera.The foundation actively works to empower women and elevate their presence in this vital sector.
The evening commenced with inspiring welcome speeches from festival leaders, setting the stage for a night of party. Attendees from around the globe gathered to recognize the creative female directors participating in the festival program and pay tribute to influential women shaping the international cinema landscape.
Renowned actress Hend Sabry graced the stage as the evening’s presenter. The ceremony culminated in a vibrant gathering, uniting festival attendees from diverse corners of the world to celebrate the most prominent creative figures participating in the festival’s programs. The event also honored the most influential women making their mark on the international cinema industry.
Academy Award-winning star Michelle Yeoh, celebrated for her role in “Everything Everywhere All at once,” and award-winning actress and producer eva Longoria, known for her work in “Only Murders In The Building,” delivered powerful speeches. Both lauded the Red Sea Film Foundation’s dedication to fostering women’s careers in filmmaking across the Arab world, Africa, and Asia.
“We are delighted to host this distinguished group of creative and pioneering women in cinema and honored to celebrate their creativity, abilities, and achievements,” said Jumana Rashid Al-Rashed, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Red Sea Film Foundation.
Al-Rashed emphasized the foundation’s commitment to empowering female talent and celebrating their contributions. “Empowering female talent and celebrating their talents is an integral part of our identity and values,” she stated. “We have worked to achieve this since our beginnings, starting with our work team, to supporting filmmakers and the stories they seek to tell, to strengthening the voice of women in this global sector. We look forward to continuing this approach and enriching it through the activities of our festival.”
Al-Rashed also highlighted the exceptional work of Arab and international female directors, including Denise Fernandez (“Hanami”), Cordwin Ayoub (“Moon”), Maram Taibah (“Malika”), Rima Katji (“Superboys of Malageon”), Taghreed Abu al-Hassan (“Snow White”), and xiaochuan Jiang (“To Kill A Mongolian Horse”).
The glamorous event at the Jeddah Yacht Club was attended by a constellation of prominent guests, including Asmaa Al-Manadir, Cynthia Erivo, Mona Zaki, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emily Blunt, Minnie Driver, Hyun Jung, Amina Khalil, Yasmine Sabry, Mila Al-Zahrani, Nour Al-Kandari, and fatima Filial.
## Shining a Spotlight: An Interview with RSF Festival Director on Women in Cinema
**World Today News:** The sparkly red carpet of the Red Sea International Film Festival just witnessed a powerful celebration: the Seventh Annual “Women in Cinema” ceremony, honoring trailblazing female voices shaping the industry in the Arab world, Africa, and Asia. We’re joined today by [**Insert name of Red Sea Festival Director**], Festival Director of the Red Sea International Film Festival. Thank you for joining us.
**Festival Director:** It’s a pleasure to be here. Seeing so manny talented women recognized at the ceremony fills me with immense pride.
**World Today News:** This rich history of celebrating women in cinema reflects a deeper commitment from the Red Sea Film Foundation. Could you elaborate on the foundation’s mission and how it actively empowers women both in front of and behind the camera?
**Festival Director:** At the Red Sea Film Foundation, we firmly beleive that empowering women is essential to the future of cinema. We understand that women bring unique perspectives and stories that enrich the landscape of filmmaking. Our mission is threefold:
* **Visibility:** We actively seek out and showcase the work of talented female filmmakers, ensuring their voices are heard on a global stage.
* **Financial Support:** Through grants, workshops, and mentorship programs, we provide tangible support to help women develop their craft and bring their projects to life.
* **Creating a network:** We foster a supportive community for women in film through networking events and collaborations, allowing them to connect, learn, and grow together.
**World Today News:** This year’s ceremony drew attention from filmmakers worldwide.What message dose recognizing these women send to aspiring talents across the Arab world, Africa, and Asia?
**Festival Director:** we want these young women to know that their voices matter. That their dreams are valid. This ceremony is a testament to the power of perseverance,creativity,and sheer talent. We hope it inspires them to pursue their ambitions without limitations.
**World Today News:** What are some of the challenges that female filmmakers continue to face, and how is the Red Sea Film Foundation working to address them?
**festival Director:** While we’ve made strides, challenges remain. Many women still face barriers in accessing funding, mentorship, and leadership positions within the industry.
We’re tackling these issues through our targeted programs. We offer financial assistance specifically for women-led projects, connect them with experienced mentors, and provide workshops on leadership and business development.
**World Today News:** Looking ahead, what are the Red Sea Film Foundation’s plans for further supporting and empowering women in film?
**Festival Director:** We’re constantly evolving and expanding our initiatives. We plan to launch a dedicated fund for supporting women-led co-productions across the Arab world, Africa, and Asia. We’ll also be deepening our international partnerships to create more opportunities for collaboration and exposure.
**World Today News:** Thank you for sharing your insights.The Red Sea Film Festival‘s commitment to celebrating and empowering women in cinema is truly commendable and a beacon of hope for the future of filmmaking.
**Festival Director:** Thank you for having me. We look forward to continuing this vital work.
**Note:** Remember to replace “[Insert name of Red Sea Festival Director]” with the actual name of the Festival Director.
