Women in Cinema Gala Honors Seven Trailblazers
The Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled its seven distinguished honorees for this year’s Women in Cinema Gala, an event that celebrates the significant contributions of female filmmakers, creators, actors, and executives within the film industry. This year’s celebrated individuals include Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni, South Asian actress Jacqueline Fernandez, Egyptian actress Amina Khalil, Saudi actress Elham Ali, Thai actress Engfa Waraha, Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji, and Saudi artist and filmmaker Sarah Taiba.
Annual Celebration of Women’s Achievements in Film
Initiated in 2022, the Women in Cinema Gala is an annual occasion organized by the Red Sea Film Foundation during the Cannes Film Festival at the prestigious Du Cap Hotel. Each year, this event selects a group of remarkable women who are making strides in their respective fields across the Arab world, Asia, and Africa, highlighting their invaluable impact on the cinematic landscape.
Recognizing Rungano Nyoni’s Contributions
Rungano Nyoni, a Zambian-Welsh filmmaker and actress, has garnered acclaim for her early short films, including “The List,” which won a BAFTA Cymru Award, and “Mwansa the Great,” a BAFTA nominee that has been showcased at over 100 international film festivals. Her feature-length projects, such as “I Am Not a Witch” and “On Becoming A Guinea Fowl,” have earned her multiple prestigious awards, including the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut and the Un Certain Regard Award for Best Director at Cannes, as well as Best Director accolades at the British Independent Film Awards.
Jacqueline Fernandez’s Rise in the Film Industry
Jacqueline Fernandez, a South Asian actress and global performer, initially gained fame as Miss Universe Sri Lanka before transitioning to film. She made her mark with significant roles in successful movies like “Murder 2” and “Housefull 2,” as well as other commercial hits such as “Race 2” and “Kick” alongside Salman Khan. Continuing to evolve as an actress, she has participated in various projects, including “Roy,” “Dishoom,” “A Gentleman,” “Bhoot Police,” and Netflix’s “Mrs. Serial Killer.” Recently, she starred in “Ram Setu” and “Cirkus,” solidifying her status as a leading figure in Indian cinema.
Amina Khalil’s Impact on Arab Cinema
Amina Khalil, an accomplished Egyptian actress, has built her career with notable performances in films such as “122,” “The Suit,” “Sheik Jackson,” “Curfew,” and “A Nose and Three Eyes.” Since embarking on her acting journey in 2011, Khalil has significantly influenced the Arab film and television landscape and is recognized as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for women’s rights, gender equality, and mental health awareness.
Elham Ali’s Artistic Journey
Elham Ali is a Saudi actress who began her career in theater before transitioning to television, where she hosted the morning show “Nuts” on Saudi TV Channel 1. After relocating to Bahrain, she returned to theater and received an award for Best Rising Actress. Her first significant role in the Gulf region was in the series “Rihana,” and she has since starred in popular shows like “Azraa” and “The Way of Female Teachers.”
Engfa Waraha’s Breakthrough in Thai Cinema
Thai actress Engfa Waraha rose to prominence in 2023 with her lead role as Meena in the hit series “Show Me Love,” which marked her breakthrough in the industry. She also showcased her talent in “Bangkok Blossom,” delivering an outstanding performance as Hom Jongyoi in the successful film “The Paradise of Thorns.” This film achieved remarkable box office success, earning her the Best Actress of the Year award at the 2025 Thailand Box Office Awards and a runner-up position for Best Actress at the 14th Thai Film Director Awards. Waraha’s growing portfolio includes roles in “Petrichor” and appearances in “Club Friday Season 16: Hot Love Issue” and “Unlimited Love,” and she is set to star in “Lady Bee,” an adaptation of the Thai literary classic “The Story of Jan Dara.”
Gaya Jiji’s Cinematic Contributions
Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji, hailing from Damascus, has directed three short films: “The Haunted House,” created for a workshop at the University of Paris 8; “The Father… too,” which received a Special Mention from the Jury at the FIFAK Festival in Tunisia; and “Morning, noon, evening… and morning,” which secured the Best Short Film Award from Cinemag and was featured in various international festivals. Her debut feature film, “My Favorite Fabric,” was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and earned her the Women in Motion Young Talent Award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Sarah Taiba’s Multifaceted Artistic Approach
Sarah Taiba is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She is known for her acclaimed dark comedy series “Jameel Jiddan,” and she recently completed filming her feature project “A Matter of Life and Death,” which she stars in and wrote. In addition to filmmaking, Taiba holds a Master of Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her artistic endeavors encompass film, performance, and illustration, where she expresses personal inner dialogues through compelling visual narratives. Her work often focuses on complex portrayals of Saudi women, delivered with authenticity and boldness.
Upcoming Women in Cinema Gala
The third installment of the Women in Cinema Gala is scheduled to take place at the Hotel du Cap on May 15, 2025, continuing the tradition of honoring the remarkable achievements of women in the film industry.
