News

“Women writers and directors are working as hard as men. It’s not right if we don’t give them chance to be seen.”

Legendary Italian filmmaker Liliana Cavani called for greater recognition of female filmmakers at the opening ceremony for the 80th Venice Film Festival this evening (August 30).

Ninety-year-old Cavani received the honorary Golden Lion award recognising her career, which spans seven decades.

“I’m the first female person to receive this award,” said Cavani. “There are women writers and directors who are working as well as men. It’s not quite right if we don’t give them a chance to be seen.

Cannes, France – 18 May 2023 – In celebration of female voices in film, the Red Sea International Film Festival (RedSeaIFF) and Vanity Fair Europe hosted the Women's Stories Gala event this evening, shining a light on the achievements of women both on and behind the camera who are helping shape the film industry and inspire a new generation of talent in Saudi Arabia, Africa, and India.

During the event held alongside the 76th Cannes Film Festival at the spectacular Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes, the RedSeaIFF and Vanity Fair Europe honoured six women making significant strides, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations.

They include; Fatima AlBanawi – Saudi actor, director and writer who received international acclaim for her leading role in Barakah Meets Barakah (2016) and broke cinema records with her latest AlHamour (2023). She has played an array of roles ranging from the road-trip thriller Route 10, family drama Champions,...

Despite all the high-tech tricks, political posturing and pyrotechnics, the best part of the Closing Ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics proved to be the athletes.

Competing the past two weeks amidst rising international tensions, pandemic quarantines and with a heavy-handed host, the participants injected a bit of fun this morning into the tightly scripted affair. Following the traditional flag waving parade of nations into the reasonably full Bird’s Nest, American flag-bearer, Elana Meyers Taylor and her fellow masked team members from around the globe let off some stream cavorting on the giant stadium’s floor to a loop of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy” over the protests of Chinese officials who repeatedly asked everyone to take their seats.

This year’s Winter Olympics was unique in many ways, but it may not be a bad idea for future games to let the actual athletes rule the roost more often.

Celebrity Fight Night announced today that the legendary Sir Elton John and the world-renowned tenor, Andrea Bocelli, will take the stage at the historic Colosseum in Rome on Friday, September 8th for a special musical event as part of this year’s “Celebrity Fight Night in Italy.”

The newly announced gala concert will also feature performances by musical icons such as Steven Tyler and David Foster. The 4th Annual “Celebrity Fight Night in Italy” is a 7-day experience in Rome, where philanthropic donors and special guests can enjoy the most magical places in and around the capital city. Funds raised benefit both the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. Celebrity Fight Night, a star-studded annual charity event, has raised over $132 million for many charities throughout its 23-year history, most significantly for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Az.

“Celebrity Fight Night in Italy” kicks off on Tuesday,...