The Red Sea Film Foundation hosted its annual Women in Cinema gala on Thursday night at the Cannes Film Festival, bringing together actors, filmmakers, and industry executives from across the Arab world, Africa, and Asia. The event took place at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes, France, and served as one of the festival's most prominent celebrations of female talent in the film industry.
Honorees and Attendees
This year, the foundation recognized six women for their outstanding contributions to cinema and storytelling. The honorees included Moroccan filmmaker Laïla Marrakchi, Nigerian producer Genevieve Nnaji, Indian actor Tara Sutaria, Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, Indonesian producer Kamila Andini, and Saudi Arabian filmmaker Aixa Kay. The red carpet saw a star-studded lineup of attendees, including Red Sea Film Foundation chairwoman Jomana Alrashid, CEO Faisal Baltyuor, US actress Demi Moore, Tunisian star Dhafer L'abidine, German actress Diane Kruger, Saudi actress Lama Al-Kinani, Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, Portuguese model and actress Sara Sampaio, Egyptian-American star Rami Malek, and US actress Michelle Rodriguez.
Women in Cinema Initiative
The Women in Cinema initiative was launched by the Red Sea Film Foundation to support emerging and established female creatives through mentorship, funding, and international exposure. Organizers emphasized that the gala continues to serve as a platform for fostering cross-cultural collaboration and highlighting stories from underrepresented regions. The event underscores the foundation's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the global film industry.
