In a celebration of female voices in film, the Red Sea International Film Festival, Red Seal IFF, and Vanity Fair Europe recently hosted the 5th Women in Cinema Dinner event on December 2nd.
This grand occasion shed light on the accomplishments of women both in front of and behind the camera, who are shaping the film industry and inspiring a new generation of talent in Saudi Arabia, Africa, and India.
The prestigious event took place at Shangri-La in Jeddah, where Egypt’s first screen icon, Nabila Abid, was honored.
Notable attendees included Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, Michelle Williams, Zoe Saldana, Baz Luhrmann, Maiwan Anayipande, Diane Kruger, Michelle Rodriguez, Naomi Campbell, Catherine Martin, and many more.
Amidst the glitz and glamour, one notable absence was Duchess Meghan, who had expressed her eagerness to attend this year’s Women in Cinema Dinner.
Reports suggest that she even sought the assistance of WME (William Morris Endeavor) to secure roles in cinematic masterpieces.
What makes this event particularly intriguing is not just the star-studded guest list but also its focus on celebrating women’s achievements in the film industry.
Given Meghan’s illustrious acting career, it would have been natural for her to be a part of such an occasion.
However, much to everyone’s surprise, she found herself snubbed.
Let’s delve into the details.
The event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was dedicated to honoring Egypt’s first screen icon, Nabila Abid.
Hollywood elites graced the red carpet, but Meghan was noticeably absent.
According to reports, negotiations between WME and the film festival organizers fell through.
It seems that Meghan’s alleged connections to certain Saudi princes, particularly during a controversial yacht trip, may have cost her the coveted invitation.
The irony is hard to ignore.
Meghan, who claims to champion women’s empowerment, not only missed out on celebrating cinema but also became entangled in negative publicity.
However, Meghan’s desire to attend the Red Sea International Film Festival went beyond empowering women or avoiding negative publicity.
It was an attempt to reclaim the spotlight among Hollywood elites.
Meghan and Harry, the dynamic duo, have been at the center of attention for all the wrong reasons lately.
Meghan’s efforts to distance herself from the royal family while still holding onto the royal name have come under scrutiny.
Their star power has waned as they face backlash over Omid Scobie’s new book, Endgame.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year, Meghan claimed that a senior member of the royal family expressed concerns about the color of Archie’s skin before his birth.
The issue resurfaced when the Dutch version of Endgame allegedly revealed the names of two senior royals involved in the controversy.
Scobie, however, denies naming any specific royal in connection with the matter.
While Americans may be captivated by the royal soap opera, Ms. Schofield, a royal expert, suggests that Endgame could spell trouble for Meghan and Harry’s popularity among their peers in Tinseltown.
According to Ms. Schofield, bookstores in Montecito, the couple’s adopted hometown, are showing little interest in stocking the new book.
Moreover, their neighbors in Montecito are reportedly appalled by the way Meghan and Harry are perceived to be treating their family.
Ms. Schofield cites a report from The Times, revealing that the neighborhood is uninterested in the Sussexes and disapproves of their lack of respect towards their elders.
It appears that the couple’s reputation has taken a significant hit in Montecito.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle’s absence from the Women in Cinema Dinner, despite her desire to attend, has raised eyebrows.
While the event celebrated female voices in film and honored Egypt’s first screen icon, Nabila Abid, Meghan found herself left out.
Negotiations between WME and the festival organizers reportedly fell through, possibly due to Meghan’s alleged connections to certain Saudi princes.