Just right at the edge of the French Riviera, the Red Sea Film Festival, a festival spearheaded by Saudi Arabian film producer, Mohammed Al Turki, graced the 75th Cannes International Film Festival to celebrate women in a gala titled ‘In Celebration of Women in Cinema.’
This gala took place in Cannes’ most prominent and prestigious hotel, the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes. During the very first Red Sea Film Festival, held on December 2021, the event hosted over 100 films, with 38% of these films directed by female directors.
The event welcomed many local and international stars, like beauty icon, Yasmine Alsabri, Fatima Albanawi, Raya Abirached, Naomi Campbell, Sara Sampaio, Alex Pettyfer, Kat Graham, Suki Waterhouse and many more names.
The Red Sea International Film Festival announced why this prestigious event took place on an Instagram post: “Empowering women as we move forward. The ‘Women in Cinema’ Gala Dinner by the Red Sea International Film Festival with members of the film industry as part of the #RedSeaIFF22 highlights at Cannes Film Festival.”
Saudi Arabia has been striving to enter the film industry, with the Saudi Film Commission under the Ministry of Culture offering to supply Saudi filmmakers and talents with everything necessary, whether it’s providing stunning locations, or a funding to supply the film.
Young Saudi filmmakers are presenting their work during the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival 2022, under the Saudi Arabian pavilion. These filmmakers are hosting a panel discussion titled ‘State of Arabia’ at the Marche du Film.
the stars that dazzled us during the Red Sea International Film Festival gala
SASHA LUSS
SARA SAMPAIO
ALEX PETTYFER
KAT GRAHAM
YASMINE SABRI
SUKI WATERHOUSE
ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO
ROSSY DE PALMA
NAOMI HARRIS
