How Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival is celebrating women in Venice

Fatima Al-Banawi, Mohammed Al Turki and Saba Mubarak attend the Celebration of Women in Cinema Gala hosted by The Red Sea Film Festival during the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Getty Images
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Updated 05 September 2021
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How Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival is celebrating women in Venice

  • Fatima Al-Banawi, Mohammed Al Turki and Saba Mubarak attend the Celebration of Women in Cinema Gala hosted by The Red Sea Film Festival during the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Getty Images

DUBAI: On Saturday, international and Arab stars came together to toast females in the film industry at the Celebration of Women in Cinema Gala hosted by Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Festival (RSFF) in Venice.

Hollywood actresses Kate Hudson, Demi Moore and Eiza Gonzales were joined by Saudi star Fatima Al-Banawi, Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak and Lebanese television personality Raya Abirached at the star-studded gala, which took place during the 78th edition of the annual Venice Film Festival.

The gala, designed to celebrate women in cinema and their achievements in the industry, while supporting the festival’s mission to drive the empowerment and support of women both in front of and behind the camera, was part of the RSFF’s presence in Venice, which is being spearheaded by Chairman of the Festival Committee Mohammed Al-Turki who is on a mission to bring Saudi cinema to the world.

Al-Turki is a renowned Saudi film producer behind such films as “Arbitrage” (2012) starring Richard Gere; “99 Homes,” (2014) starring Michael Shannon; and the upcoming “Crisis,” starring Gary Oldman.

“It’s wonderful time to witness the cultural shift in Saudi (Arabia) with extraordinary plans underway for vision 2030. The festival is the perfect opportunity to develop our flourishing industry, champion and support young Saudi and Arab talent, and share authentic compelling stories with global audiences,” he said after news of his appointment was first announced earlier this year.

Meanwhile, in an effort to help empower a large pool of filmmakers, the Red Sea Film Festival’s The Red Sea Fund, which champions the development, production and post-production of Arab films, has supported “Amira” from Egyptian director Mohamed Diab, which is set to make its world premiere competing within the Orizzonti section.

The Red Sea Film Festival’s presence in Venice is a continuation of its mission to champion emerging talent and support Arab filmmakers.

In July, RSFF had its own Saudi pavilion at the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival that shone a spotlight on the Kingdom’s burgeoning film industry and the opportunities it has to offer.


Jessica Kahawaty to narrate London concert paying tribute to Arab music icons

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Jessica Kahawaty to narrate London concert paying tribute to Arab music icons

DUBAI: Australian Lebanese model and entrepreneur Jessica Kahawaty this week announced that she will serve as the storyteller for “A Night With The Legends,” a one-night musical tribute celebrating iconic women of Arabic music, taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on March 5.

Kahawaty will portray Scheherazade and deliver spoken narration during the program.

The evening will pay tribute to the legacies of Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Warda, Sabah, Asmahan and Layla Mourad.

Vocals will be performed by Lebanese vocalist Abeer Nehme, accompanied by the UK-based London Arab Orchestra under the direction of conductor Basel Saleh, alongside the London-based Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The program will also feature a 70-member all-female choir.

“I’m incredibly humbled,” Kahawaty wrote to her 1.8 million followers on Instagram. “As storyteller, I’ll be weaving history, memory and meaning into the musical experience in a one-night tribute celebrating the iconic women of the golden era of Arabic music.”

“I cannot wait to see you all there,” she added.

Kahawaty is also an entrepreneur. She co-founded fine jewelry label Kahawaty Jewels with her father, master jeweler Ghassan Kahawaty, launching the Dubai-based brand last year as a continuation of the family’s longstanding craftsmanship tradition.

“I grew up watching my father in his jewelry trade. I saw how happy he made people when he created these beautiful pieces,” Kahawaty previously told Arab News. “I’ve always wanted to continue my father’s legacy and my grandfather’s trade. I felt like this is the perfect time to launch Kahawaty Jewels in Dubai, which is a city I’ve been in for over 13 years.”

Kahawaty and her mother are also behind UAE-based food delivery business Mama Rita. In July last year, the pair expanded the venture with the launch of a cookbook, which featured a cover endorsement from Hollywood actress and producer Courteney Cox.

Writing on Instagram at the time, Kahawaty said: “The moment we held the Mama Rita cookbook in our hands for the very first time … after two years of pouring our hearts into it. And we’re beyond thrilled to share a special surprise on the cover — a quote from the one and only (Courteney Cox). Her iconic role as Monica in ‘Friends’ — the talented chef, perfectionist and loving control freak — mirrors so much of the dynamic between mum and me. And her true persona is even more beautiful, warm and generous.”