The International Film of the Red Sea Film (RSIFF) celebrated the power of female voices last night in the world film industry by organizing the 7th edition of the Gala “Women in Cinema” (women in the cinema). This prestigious event highlights the essential contributions of women in front and behind the camera, which transform the landscape of cinema while inspiring a new generation of talents from the Arab world, Africa and Asia.
The evening, hosted by Tunisian actress and producer Hend Sabry, took place in the sumptuous setting of the Jeddah Yacht Club, offering a moment of elegance and recognition to those that shape the future of cinema.
A celebration of female voices
The “Women in Cinema” gala embodies the commitment of the Film of the Red Sea film to defend and promote female voices in the 7th art. This exceptional evening brought together festival -goers around a vibrant tribute to the directors present in the programming of the festival, as well as to the women’s icons of world cinema.
Jomana Al-Rashid, president of the Foundation of the Red Sea film, inaugurated the evening with a welcome speech, stressing the importance of highlighting the directors in competition this year. She praised the remarkable work of seven directors selected in the official competition:
- Denise Fernandes for Hanami
- Kurdwin Ayub for Moon
- Maram Taibah for Malika
- Reema Katgi for Superboys of Malageon
- Roya Sadat for Sima’s Song
- Taghrid Abouelhassan for Snow White
- Xiaoxuan Jiang for To kill in Mongolian Horse.
Inspirant speeches
The evening was also marked by the interventions of two major figures in world cinema: the Oscar -winning actress Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and actress and producer Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building). They praised the considerable efforts of the Film of the Red Sea to promote the careers of women in the film industry, in particular in the Arab, African and Asian regions.
Michelle Yeoh expressed her gratitude for such an event, saying that “celebrating women is celebrating the future of cinema, because female stories bring an essential and essential perspective to our world.” For its part, Eva Longoria stressed the importance of creating opportunities for directors and actresses from regions often underrepresented in industry.
A mission affirmed by the Foundation
In her speech, Jomana Al-Rashid recalled the fundamental principles of the Film of the Red Sea: “It is an honor to receive so many visionary women and to celebrate their talent, their determination and their creativity this evening. From the first day, the commitment to female voices has been at the heart of our activities, whether it is our ruling team, the filmmakers that we support or the stories that they share. Value these voices over the editions of our festival. ”
A prestigious red carpet
The gala also brought together an audience of prestigious guests, witnesses of the magnitude and the impact of this event. Among the personalities present were Youssra, Asmae El Moudir, Cynthia Erivo, Mona Zaki, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emily Blunt, Minnie Driver, Hoyeon Jung, Amina Khalil, Yasmine Sabri, Mila Alzahrani, Nour Alkandra and Fatima Albanawi.
The evening, marked by a mixture of elegance and sincerity, offered a rare moment of recognition to these female figures. Through this event, the International Film Film of the Red Sea once again affirms its essential role as a global platform to promote diversity, inclusion and creativity.
The future of cinema in the hands of women
In a world where female voices finally gain the attention they deserve, the gala “Women in Cinema” acts as a lighthouse, illuminating the path for a more equitable and representative film industry. The RSIFF continues to show that cinema is not only an art, but also a lever for change, where women are not only celebrated, but also actively supported to write the future.
Thus, in Jeddah, this evening is a highlight of the celebration of female talent, reminding everyone that the stories of women are universal stories, which resonate far beyond borders and inspire a truly global cinema.
