Latest news with #ElhamAli
The National
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Love is Blind Habibi host Elham Ali has big plans for her future in Saudi cinema
As I walk down the French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival, it's like a league of nations, with pavilions from countries around the world lining the seafront. There is always something exciting brewing here, not least at the Saudi pavilion, where seven talented women have arrived as guests of the Red Sea Film Foundation. The Mena-focused festival is celebrating women in cinema, choosing those who are helping shape a new generation of talent in the Arab world, Africa and Asia. Among this stylish septet is Saudi actor and presenter Elham Ali, looking resplendent in a white trouser suit and silver jewellery. 'I'm here, first of all, to support Saudi women in cinema,' she tells The National amid a hectic afternoon of press meetings. One of the most prominent figures in Gulf and Saudi television, theatre and cinema – and co-presenter of Love is Blind Habibi alongside her husband Khaled Saqer – Ali has never been to Cannes before. But she sees it as more than just a chance to schmooze with A-listers. For Ali, who has been acting for more than a decade, coming to prominence in shows such as Rihana and The Way of Female Teachers, it's all about waving the Saudi flag, as the country's film industry continues to grow. Her mission, she says, is to help 'reiterate the importance of our culture and to convey the image of our culture to the world. I believe that, as Saudis, we are ready to be more present in the international arena and to be the storytellers of the Saudi story.' Ali is not the only Saudi talent the Red Sea International Film Festival has commandeered for its Women In Cinema initiative. She's joined by Sarah Taibah, the artist and filmmaker behind the acclaimed dark comedy series Jameel Jeddan. Others include Egyptian actor Amina Khalil, Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji and acclaimed Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni, whose work I Am Not A Witch and On Becoming a Guinea Fowl screened at Cannes. Last year, Norah became the first Saudi film officially selected for Cannes, while the Saudi-backed Red Sea Fund continues to invest in films that have made their way to the festival (including this year's Un Certain Regard entry Promised Sky). Ali suggests it's all a learning curve for the Saudi film industry. 'We need competition. Competition is useful, and we have been taking the first steps, good and healthy steps, because we need to learn and know more about the industry in general.' Does she feel there is increasing support for Saudi actresses in cinema? 'There is strong support given to the Saudi woman. Hence my presence here,' she says. 'And the support is not just for women in cinema, it's for women at large.' The international stage could be the next logical step. Ali has already worked in an English language film, the Saudi horror The Cello (2023), alongside Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons and Tobin Bell, the star of the Saw franchise. She's always been a horror film fan, 'especially Dracula', she says with a grin. As such, she is open to other English-speaking roles. 'If I feel the role is suitable for me and I am suitable for the role, definitely I will do it because I'm open to any learning experience.' Given The Cello was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, the filmmaker behind multiple entries in the Saw series, I suggest that Ali may have an emerging career as a Saudi scream queen. 'I wish!' she say, her eyes lighting up. However, you're more likely to find her tapping away at a keyboard. 'I have a new passion, which is writing. Reading scripts gives me ideas.' So will we see her credited as a screenwriter in the future? 'I would love to try,' she smiles.
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Red Sea fund honors 7 women in cinema at Cannes festival
CANNES: Seven Saudi Arabia and international women filmmakers and artists were honored at the Cannes International Film Festival on Thursday night. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Elham Ali, Jacqueline Fernandez, Gaya Jiji, Amina Khalil, Rungano Nyoni, Sarah Taibah, and Engfa Waraha were recognized for their work at the Red Sea Film Fund's Women in Cinema Gala event. Several of the women spoke to Arab News about the importance of women's voices in cinema, and had high praise for the Kingdom's efforts to support them. A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) South Asian actress and performer Fernandez said: 'At my 15th year in film, and being part of the industry, this really culminates and really motivates me to keep going and to do more and to rise and it couldn't have come at a better time. 'Just meeting the women and the talent here, seeing how women are supporting women on such a platform has been so inspiring. I feel every artist constantly needs to feel motivated and inspired, and this is one of those moments for me.' The former Miss Universe honoree transitioned into film in the Indian industry with breakout performances in 'Murder 2' (2011) and 'Housefull 2' (2012). A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) She also starred in commercial successes 'Race 2' (2013) and 'Kick' (2014) opposite Salman Khan. 'I think that their (RSFF) passion to promote film and to promote the technicians and to promote the industry has been very, very admirable. 'The fact that also they are not just focusing on Saudi, but they're looking at more of a global reach for their talent, and they're also looking at connecting and bringing together other cultures within that. 'It really is what cinema is all about, right?' she said. A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) Saudi Arabia actress and presenter Ali emphasized the importance of investing in domestic cinema infrastructure, as exemplified by efforts of the Film Commission, Film AlUla, the RSFF, and independent grassroots initiatives. 'There's nothing more important than cinema to present a history and cement stories. 'Cinema is the platform to transfer our stories to the world, and the fastest to do that, and that's why I'm with and support this industry and I still (strive) for more. A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) 'Yes, we've reached such a beautiful point today by seeing our work displayed at international festivals, like Cannes and others, but that's why we need more. 'We're taking quick, powerful, and creative steps,' she said. She added that cultural sensitivities remain a challenge but younger filmmakers were dealing with them slowly. A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) Zambian-Welsh director, screenwriter and actress Nyoni told Arab News: 'I feel fortunate to be recognized. 'It feels like someone, somewhere is listening or at least paying attention a little bit, but also because the Red Sea (Film Fund) spotlights specific areas that are not very popular. 'People always go to the usual suspects and I always love especially when people come to Africa. A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) 'It's such a rarity because, actually, the benefit is you don't get to be very popular, these are not very sexy places to go to, and I love that they finance filmmakers. 'That's the bit that I find really amazing.' Nyoni gained recognition with her early shorts, including 'The List' (2009), and with her more recent feature films, 'I am not a witch' (2017) and 'On becoming a guinea fowl' (2024). They have all earned her numerous awards including the Un Certain Regard Award for Best Director at Cannes last year. A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji, whose first feature 'My Favorite Fabric' was also selected in the Un Certain Regard section in 2018, said the right support for women in cinema is emerging now globally. She attended the Red Sea Film Festival three years ago, which supported her movie. And the festival is a co-producer of her second feature 'Pieces of Foreign Life.' She said that the RSIFF has helped create space for women, specifically from Saudi Arabia, which was a step to fulfilling the Vision 2030 plan. Thai actress Waraha said the RSIFF has given a spotlight for women in Asia to have a bigger platform on a global level. A post shared by Red Sea Film Foundation (@redseafilm) 'In Thailand, it's not that difficult for women to be in cinema, but on an international level, especially women of color, there's language barriers. 'There's looks that limit (me) to certain roles, which make it harder for me to bring into the international level with blockbuster movies,' she said. Waraha gained recognition in 2023 for her lead role in the hit TV series 'Show Me Love,' which marked her breakout performance. Her role in 'The Paradise of Thorns,' which she considers her breakout moment, earned her the Best Actress of the Year award at the 2025 Thailand Box Office Awards. 'I feel proud,' she said about receiving the Women in Cinema honor. 'And I want to keep this as inspiration for both myself and for others.' 'I always say women are half of society, and they need to be half of the industry as well. Honoree Taiba has dedicated her work to shedding light on 'real women' in both a physical and emotional sense. 'As much as I'm really, really, really proud to be one of the seven highlighted women in cinema, I hope that we reach a point of equality in the industry that there are no such special events just for us,' she said. She is the creator, writer and lead of the acclaimed dark comedy series 'Jameel Jiddan,' and most recently finished shooting her feature film 'A Matter of Life and Death,' which she stars in and wrote. 'As a woman — and I'm sure a lot of women relate to that — we really doubt our deserving of things. 'This year, I decided that … I'm worth it. I really worked hard, and I'm really proud of myself, that I'm in the right place at the right time of my life.'
