Red Sea Film Foundation Gala to Honour Women in Cinema at Cannes

The Red Sea Film Foundation, in partnership with Vanity Fair Europe, is set to host the third edition of its Women in Cinema Gala during the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Scheduled to take place at the prestigious Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, the event will celebrate influential women filmmakers and creatives from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia.

This year’s honourees include Egyptian actress Amina Khalil, Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni, Sri Lankan actress Jacqueline Fernandez, Saudi actress Elham Ali, Thai artist Engfa Waraha, Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji, and Saudi actress and artist Sarah Taibah. The gala aims to spotlight their contributions to cinema and the wider creative industries, recognising their role in expanding representation and storytelling across cultures.

The Women in Cinema Gala has emerged as a key moment on the Cannes calendar, drawing attention to voices historically underrepresented in the global film landscape. Organised by the Red Sea Film Foundation—which is based in Saudi Arabia and backs regional filmmaking through the Red Sea International Film Festival and year-round industry support—the initiative aligns with broader efforts to foster diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural dialogue in the arts.

The Women in Cinema Gala is scheduled to take place during Cannes, which runs from May 14th to the 25th.