Red Sea Film Foundation gala at Cannes

The Red Sea Film Foundation held its annual Women in Cinema gala at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes on Thursday, May 15, during the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The event gathered actors, filmmakers and industry executives from the Arab world, Africa and Asia for one of the festival’s side gatherings centered on female talent, according to Arab News and the foundation. The Saudi-backed organization said the Cannes program is part of a broader effort to raise the profile of women working on screen and behind the camera. This year’s gala also served as the foundation’s public showcase for a new group of honorees. ### Who did the foundation honor this year? The Red Sea Film Foundation said six women were honored at the 2026 gala: Indonesian filmmaker Kamila Andini, Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clementine Dusabejambo, Saudi actress-writer Aixa Kay, Moroccan director Laïla Marrakchi, Nigerian actress-producer Genevieve Nnaji and Indian actress-singer Tara Sutaria. The foundation said the group reflects its focus on talent from the Arab world, Africa and Asia. (arabnews.com) Deadline reported earlier in the week that 2026 marked the first year the lineup included three spotlight honorees from the African continent. The trade publication said all six were to be recognized at the annual Cannes event at the Hotel du Cap. ### Why is this event part of Cannes if it is not an official Cannes prize? Cannes hosts a large ecosystem of premieres, markets, dinners and foundation events that run alongside the official competition. (redseafilmfest.com) Arab News reported that the Red Sea gathering was part of Cannes side programming and brought together film figures from multiple regions to Cap d’Antibes on the French Riviera. The Red Sea Film Foundation said its Women in Cinema initiative was launched to champion emerging and established female creatives through mentorship, funding and international exposure. (deadline.com) Organizers said the gala is designed as a platform for cross-cultural collaboration and for stories from regions they describe as underrepresented in the global film business. ### What else did Red Sea do in Cannes this week? (arabnews.com) Arab News reported that the foundation held a Women in Cinema luncheon and press day on Wednesday, May 14, ahead of the gala. That event also brought together actors, filmmakers and executives on the French Riviera as part of the organization’s Cannes schedule. The foundation’s own Cannes announcements said it was using the festival to highlight its wider support programs and films backed by Red Sea money. (arabnews.com) In a 2025 Cannes update, the organization said it paired the Women in Cinema event with screenings, market activity and a “Meet the Foundation” session for filmmakers from Asia, Africa and the Arab world. (arabnews.com) ### How long has Red Sea been running this Cannes gala? Arab News reported last year that the Women in Cinema gala was established in 2022 and is hosted annually by the Red Sea Film Foundation in Cannes. The 2024 edition was held in partnership with Vanity Fair Europe and drew international film and fashion figures in addition to regional guests. A 2025 foundation release described the previous Cannes edition as the 78th festival’s Women in Cinema event and said seven women were honored that year. (redseafilmfest.com) The 2026 edition shifted to a group of six honorees, according to the foundation’s latest release. ### What comes next on the Riviera? The 79th Cannes Film Festival is continuing on the Riviera after the May 15 gala, with festival and market events scheduled through May 24. (arabnews.com) The Red Sea Film Foundation said its Cannes presence this year includes continued networking and industry-facing programming tied to filmmakers from the Arab world, Africa and Asia. (redseafilmfest.com 1) (redseafilmfest.com 2)