Saudi Arabia's Red Sea International Film Festival and Vanity Fair joined forces to host a dazzling "women's stories gala after party" during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The event aimed to celebrate and honor female talent from the region, drawing a star-studded crowd that included renowned personalities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Katie Holmes, The Weeknd, Naomi Campbell, and more.
Set against the backdrop of the renowned Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes, the glamorous gathering recognized six exceptional stars from the region. Among the honored guests were Saudi actresses Mila Al-Zahrani and Fatima Al-Banawi, Lebanese actress Razane Jammal, Indian star Sarah Ali Khan, Egyptian-Montenegrin actress and model Tara Emad, and Nigerian filmmaker Jade Osiberu.
In an interview with Arab News, Tara Emad expressed her pride and emphasized the significance of representation. She highlighted the importance of being able to witness the presence of individuals who share similar backgrounds and aspirations, serving as inspirations for girls and women across the Arab region.
Sarah Ali Khan echoed the sentiment, considering it a privilege to be part of such an event that celebrates her Indian heritage, womanhood, and her profession as an actor. She praised Saudi Arabia's efforts to showcase inspiring stories and foster change and development in the film industry.
Fatima Al-Banawi shared her perspective on the courage required to challenge existing narratives and create new opportunities. She stressed the significance of women taking up space, voicing their opinions, and working towards positive change.
Razane Jammal, raised in an environment that encouraged her to view herself on equal footing with men, acknowledged the challenges faced by women in the workforce. She highlighted the importance of continuously learning and understanding different perspectives to further advance the representation of women in the industry.
Portuguese model Sara Sampaio expressed her enthusiasm for being part of an event that gives women the platform to share stories from their own perspectives, emphasizing the importance of such narratives.
Mohammed Al-Turki, CEO of the Red Sea Film Festival, expressed immense pride in celebrating women and sharing their stories from the region with a global audience. He highlighted the success of the festival in showcasing talented individuals from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, and India, and expressed optimism for the future of the festival and the incredible achievements yet to come.
The Cannes Film Festival itself opened with the screening of "Jeanne du Barry," a film supported by the Red Sea International Film Festival, marking a significant milestone for the Saudi co-production and highlighting the festival's growing influence.
As the event came to a close, it served as a reminder of the progress being made in promoting diversity, representation, and empowering women within the film industry. The collaboration between the Red Sea International Film Festival and Vanity Fair showcased the power of storytelling and the potential to create meaningful change, leaving attendees with a sense of anticipation for the remarkable journeys that lie ahead.