At RSIFF, women lead, inspire, and shape conversation

The fifth Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) made one thing clear by day three: women were not just attending the festival — they were defining it.

Across panels, masterclasses, and informal discussions, female actors, producers, and creatives took centre stage, shaping conversations about cinema, identity, and representation.
Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opened the day with her trademark poise. She spoke candidly about balancing motherhood with a demanding career, navigating public scrutiny, and carrying the responsibility of representing Indian women on the global stage.

Reflecting on her Miss World days, she said, “I looked upon it as an opportunity to represent Indian women internationally… I wanted to give a voice.” Social media, she added, was never her validation tool; authenticity mattered more.

Cuban-Spanish star Ana de Armas brought a practical, grounded energy to her masterclass. Sharing her journey from Havana to Madrid and then Los Angeles, she discussed early setbacks, language barriers, and the challenge of starting from scratch in a foreign city. 

“Saudi [Arabia] reminded me of Cuba,” she said. Her focus was not on celebrity, but on craft — how she prepared for scenes, observed, experimented, and earned her place in a competitive industry.

Queen Latifah contributed a perspective centred on advocacy, mentorship, and female-led projects, underscoring a recurring festival theme: women supporting women.

Meanwhile, Dakota Johnson, actor and producer, offered a candid glimpse behind the scenes. “Acting is one bubble,” she said. “Producing lets you see behind the curtain… and it’s brutal.” 

Johnson discussed navigating financiers, producing her own projects, and the balancing act between creative control and industry realities, highlighting that influence extends beyond on-screen performance.

Across the festival, women led discussions, delivered masterclasses, and encouraged emerging talent. Ana de Armas emphasised mentorship and dialogue, while Johnson encouraged female creatives to tell their stories honestly and boldly.

The festival was not just a showcase of premieres but a laboratory for talent, collaboration, and learning. By the end of day three, the message was unmistakable: Red Sea 2025 is not simply another international festival.

It is a platform where women actively steer conversations, shape culture, and redefine what it means to hold creative agency in cinema today. From Aishwarya Rai’s reflections on representation to Ana de Armas’s lessons in craft and Johnson’s behind-the-scenes candour, the festival proved that leadership in film transcends red carpets — it is earned through presence, preparation, and courage.