CANNES: Seven Saudi Arabia and international women filmmakers and artists were honored at the Cannes International Film Festival on Thursday night.

Elham Ali, Jacqueline Fernandez, Gaya Jiji, Amina Khalil, Rungano Nyoni, Sarah Taibah, and Engfa Waraha were recognized for their work at the Red Sea Film Fund’s Women in Cinema Gala event.

Several of the women spoke to Arab News about the importance of women’s voices in cinema, and had high praise for the Kingdom’s efforts to support them.

South Asian actress and performer Fernandez said: “At my 15th year in film, and being part of the industry, this really culminates and really motivates me to keep going and to do more and to rise and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“​​Just meeting the women and the talent here, seeing how women are supporting women on such a platform has been so inspiring. I feel every artist constantly needs to feel motivated and inspired, and this is one of those moments for me.”

The former Miss Universe honoree transitioned into film in the Indian industry with breakout performances in “Murder 2” (2011) and “Housefull 2” (2012).

She also starred in commercial successes “Race 2” (2013) and “Kick” (2014) opposite Salman Khan.

“I think that their (RSFF) passion to promote film and to promote the technicians and to promote the industry has been very, very admirable.

“The fact that also they are not just focusing on Saudi, but they’re looking at more of a global reach for their talent, and they’re also looking at connecting and bringing together other cultures within that.

“It really is what cinema is all about, right?” she said.

Saudi Arabia actress and presenter Ali emphasized the importance of investing in domestic cinema infrastructure, as exemplified by efforts of the Film Commission, Film AlUla, the RSFF, and independent grassroots initiatives.

“There’s nothing more important than cinema to present a history and cement stories.

“Cinema is the platform to transfer our stories to the world, and the fastest to do that, and that’s why I’m with and support this industry and I still (strive) for more.

“Yes, we’ve reached such a beautiful point today by seeing our work displayed at international festivals, like Cannes and others, but that’s why we need more.

“We’re taking quick, powerful, and creative steps,” she said.

She added that cultural sensitivities remain a challenge but younger filmmakers were dealing with them slowly.

Zambian-Welsh director, screenwriter and actress Nyoni told Arab News: “I feel fortunate to be recognized.

“It feels like someone, somewhere is listening or at least paying attention a little bit, but also because the Red Sea (Film Fund) spotlights specific areas that are not very popular.

“People always go to the usual suspects and I always love especially when people come to Africa.

“It’s such a rarity because, actually, the benefit is you don’t get to be very popular, these are not very sexy places to go to, and I love that they finance filmmakers.

“That's the bit that I find really amazing.”

Nyoni gained recognition with her early shorts, including “The List” (2009), and with her more recent feature films, “I am not a witch” (2017) and “On becoming a guinea fowl” (2024).

They have all earned her numerous awards including the Un Certain Regard Award for Best Director at Cannes last year. 

Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji, whose first feature “My Favorite Fabric” was also selected in the Un Certain Regard section in 2018, said the right support for women in cinema is emerging now globally.

She attended the Red Sea Film Festival three years ago, which supported her movie. And the festival is a co-producer of her second feature “Pieces of Foreign Life.”

She said that the RSIFF has helped create space for women, specifically from Saudi Arabia, which was a step to fulfilling the Vision 2030 plan.

Thai actress Waraha said the RSIFF has given a spotlight for women in Asia to have a bigger platform on a global level.

“​​In Thailand, it’s not that difficult for women to be in cinema, but on an international level, especially women of color, there’s language barriers.

“There’s looks that limit (me) to certain roles, which make it harder for me to bring into the international level with blockbuster movies,” she said.

Waraha gained recognition in 2023 for her lead role in the hit TV series “Show Me Love,” which marked her breakout performance.

Her role in “The Paradise of Thorns,” which she considers her breakout moment, earned her the Best Actress of the Year award at the 2025 Thailand Box Office Awards.

“I feel proud,” she said about receiving the Women in Cinema honor. “And I want to keep this as inspiration for both myself and for others.”

“I always say women are half of society, and they need to be half of the industry as well.

Honoree Taiba has dedicated her work to shedding light on “real women” in both a physical and emotional sense.

“As much as I’m really, really, really proud to be one of the seven highlighted women in cinema, I hope that we reach a point of equality in the industry that there are no such special events just for us,” she said.

She is the creator, writer and lead of the acclaimed dark comedy series “Jameel Jiddan,” and most recently finished shooting her feature film “A Matter of Life and Death,” which she stars in and wrote.

“As a woman — and I’m sure a lot of women relate to that — we really doubt our deserving of things.

“This year, I decided that … I’m worth it. I really worked hard, and I’m really proud of myself, that I’m in the right place at the right time of my life.”

DUBAI: Saudi artist Reem Al-Nasser has been selected for the inaugural Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency, a new initiative from Diriyah Art Futures.  

The residency, which runs until July, brings together artists and scholars to explore emerging ecologies, speculative futures, and the evolving relationship between technology, nature and cultural heritage. 

Organized by the Museums Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the residency supports experimental research and production in the field of digital and new media art.  

Participants are provided with a production budget and technical support, as well as access to labs and studios. The spring cohort includes artists and scholars from Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, France, Germany and the UK. 

Al-Nasser, one of three Saudi artists participating, described being selected as both an honor and a milestone in her artistic journey.  

“I felt immense happiness and deep honor,” she told Arab News. “Being chosen for such a prestigious residency was a validation of my artistic journey and gave me a sense of responsibility and excitement.” 

The theme of the inaugural residency is “High-Resolution Dreams from the Sands.” Artists are encouraged to examine the intersections of land and technology. Al-Nasser’s interpretation of the theme centers on the flower known in Arabic as Al-Samh — a plant native to Saudi Arabia, which she uses as a symbol of resilience, healing and shelter.  

“I’m working on archiving the ancient behaviors associated with this flower as a symbol of defense and protection, incorporating its intricate details into digital artworks that simulate its essence,” she said.  

Al-Nasser is developing a series of interactive digital installations that integrate visual projection, augmented reality and artificial intelligence to animate the symbolic qualities of the flower and bring them into a contemporary digital art context. Her goal is to create a multi-sensory experience that immerses viewers in the story of the flower, blending visual detail with conceptual depth. 

“These tools allow me to present the intricate details of the Samh flower in a stunning and unprecedented way,” she said. 

Al-Nasser often draws inspiration from traditional storytelling and behavioral patterns, using art to reframe these ideas through a modern lens. “My style is a blend of digital and physical media, with a focus on storytelling — restructuring and connecting ancient knowledge with modern elements,” she said. “Being in Diriyah opened my eyes to the importance of drawing inspiration from local elements and presenting them in a contemporary manner. It’s also encouraged me to experiment with modern techniques I haven’t used before.  

“Diriyah has also inspired me with its natural beauty, palm gardens and ancient forts, which have become a central focus in my work,” she continued. “The environment here encouraged me to deeply reflect on the relationship between nature and art and to celebrate its elements through technology. I hope people feel the profound connection between environmental science and the Desert Samh Flower and appreciate the power of nature in creating symbols that inspire art and creativity. I want them to reflect on the relationship between heritage and technology and how art can bridge the two.” 

As the Kingdom invests more heavily in cultural infrastructure and platforms such as DAF, Al-Nasser believes local artists are increasingly positioned to shape the global conversation around digital and new media art. 

“Saudi artists are producing remarkable works that are rooted in cultural heritage while integrating modern technologies,” she said. “They have the potential to revolutionize the global art scene by highlighting the beauty of local nature, like the Samh flower, in innovative ways.” 

Al-Nasser’s journey into art began in her teenage years, driven by a fascination with creative expression and storytelling. “Art became my way of understanding the world and sharing my perspective,” she said, adding that her creative inspirations often stem from historical and behavioral patterns.  

“Ancient storytelling and understanding personal experiences were my primary sources of inspiration,” she explained. “I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty of subtle details in behaviors, their connection to time, and how art can highlight and center them in storytelling.”