Egyptian Actress and Producer, Nabila EBEID is celebrated.

The Shangri-La in Jeddah hosted, on December 1 as part of Red Sea IFF 2023, a dinner to celebrate women in the seventh art. It is, in fact, noted that they increasingly play an essential role which inspires new talents and makes people believe in their capacities for creativity and influence.

The place of women is becoming more and more important in the world of cinema, whether they are in front of or behind the camera. Today, they "inspire a new generation of talents in Saudi Arabia, Africa and India". Reality thus led the Red Sea IFF, in collaboration with Vanity Fair Europe, to highlight their contribution. This, through the person of the Egyptian actress Nabila Ebeid.

Thus the 5th "Women in cinema" dinner, organized on December 2, 2023, will pay tribute to the woman who is considered the first icon of Egyptian and Arab cinema of the 20th century, who will make her debut at the age of 16. Totaling many decades of collaboration with the most prominent directors in the MENA region.

Her most prominent appearances are in the films Wa La Yazal Al Tahqiq Mostameran, Rabia Al Adawiyya  and Al Raqesa Wal Seyasi. The first one earned her a distinction with the Best Actress Prize at the Alexandria Festival, opening the doors to worldwide success. She played roles ranging from religion to history, feminism to socio-politics.

"Tonight is a reminder of the incredible breadth and talent of women in this industry," declared Ms. Jomana Al-Rashid, president of the Red Sea Film Foundation, who at the same time salutes this celebration of vision, dynamism and the determination of women who continue to fight to take their place in cinema. "The Red Sea Foundation has always championed the women who drive this industry forward - and since its inception, we have consistently championed filmmakers from Asmae El Moudir to Kaouther Ben Hania," she added. And as if to support this statement, Mohammed Al Turki, CEO of the Red Sea IFF, will say how proud he is for the 3rd edition of the Festival to welcome the film projects of 38 female directors in the program. "At the Red Sea Film Festival and at our foundation," he will announce, "we wholeheartedly accept the contributions of established and emerging women in cinema." Nurturing their talent, guaranteeing within Arab cinematographies and elsewhere, constitute their workhorse.

Note that among the distinguished guests were, among others, Aseel Omran, Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Rodriguez, Sarah Taiba.

Bassirou NIANG
@BassirouNI38612