Red Sea International Film Festival Hosts 5th Women in Cinema Dinner

In a celebration of female voices in film, the Red Sea International Film Festival, in collaboration with Red Seal IFF and Vanity Fair Europe, recently organized the 5th Women in Cinema Dinner on December 2nd.

The event, held at Shangri-La in Jeddah, aimed to highlight the remarkable contributions of women in the film industry, both in front of and behind the camera.

These women are not only shaping the film landscape but also serving as sources of inspiration for budding talent in Saudi Arabia, Africa, and India.

Among the distinguished guests who graced the occasion were renowned personalities such as Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, Michelle Williams, Zoe Saldana, Baz Luhrmann, Maiwan Anayipande, Diane Kruger, Michelle Rodriguez, Naomi Campbell, and Catherine Martin, among many others.

Notably absent from the star-studded event was Duchess Meghan, known for her penchant for meaningful engagements.

It was reported that she had expressed a keen interest in attending the event this year and had even sought assistance from WME to secure roles in significant cinematic productions.

The allure of the Women in Cinema Dinner lies not only in its glitz and glamour but also in its profound emphasis on acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of women in the film industry.

Given Meghan's esteemed background in acting, one would expect her to be a natural fit for such an event.

However, to everyone's surprise, she found herself conspicuously missing from the guest list.

Let's delve deeper into this intriguing turn of events.

The event, which paid tribute to Egypt's first screen legend, Nabila Abid, unfolded as a grand affair with Hollywood luminaries adding sparkle to the red carpet.

Yet, amidst the glamour and prestige, Meghan's absence did not go unnoticed.

Reports suggest that negotiations between WME and the festival organizers hit a roadblock, leading to Meghan's exclusion from the coveted event.

Despite her earnest desire to distance herself from the controversies surrounding the Omid Scobie book saga, Meghan's rumored connections to certain Saudi princes aboard a yacht may have played a role in her unexpected omission.

The irony surrounding Meghan's situation is palpable.

Here is a woman who advocates for women's empowerment, yet she found herself not only missing out on a celebration of cinema but also entangled in a web of negative publicity.

Her eagerness to attend the Red Sea International Film Festival stemmed not just from a desire to support women but also from a yearning to reclaim her position in the limelight among Hollywood's elite circles.

Meghan and Harry, often hailed as a dynamic duo, have recently been under intense scrutiny for various reasons.

Their attempts to carve out a new identity separate from the royal family while still leveraging the royal name have come under the microscope.

The couple's popularity has taken a hit following the release of Omid Scobie's controversial book, “Endgame.”

Royal expert Kinsey Schofield highlighted the precarious position the Sussexes find themselves in, particularly after Meghan's revelations to Oprah Winfrey earlier this year regarding concerns over Archie's skin color.

The controversy resurfaced with the Dutch version of “Endgame” allegedly naming two senior royals involved in the matter.

Scobie, however, maintains that no royal was directly implicated in the issue.

While the American audience may relish the dramatic aspects of royal affairs, the repercussions of “Endgame” could spell trouble for Meghan and Harry's standing within Tinseltown.

According to Ms. Schofield, the couple's reception in their Montecito community has cooled significantly, with local bookstores showing little interest in stocking the book and neighbors expressing dismay over their perceived treatment of family members.

In a nutshell, Meghan's absence from the Women in Cinema Dinner sheds light on a broader narrative surrounding her evolving public image and the challenges she faces in navigating her post-royal life.

As the saga unfolds, it remains to be seen how Meghan and Harry will navigate the turbulent waters of fame, scrutiny, and public perception.