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.”
