Celebrities Grace the Red Carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia

Ingrid Vasquez works as a Digital News Writer for PEOPLE. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin. In her previous role, she served as an Editor at FanSided. In addition, she has contributed to various celebrity and lifestyle brands such as Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and EW, amongst others.

In this photo, we can see Johnny Depp on the left and Will Smith on the right attending the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2023.

The Red Sea International Film Festival’s third edition’s premiere night was a spectacular event with a remarkable turnout of celebrities, including Johnny Depp and Will Smith.

The debut of HWJN, a film adaptation of Ibraheem Abbas’ popular Saudi Arabian fantasy novel, kicked off the event in Saudi Arabia. The movie takes place in a universe where djinn have crossed over into human society and live among them undetected, painting a vivid picture of a fantastical kingdom where anything can happen. Meanwhile, Johnny Depp expressed his gratitude as he concludes his stint on an independent film, with Modi serving as director.

The Red Sea International Film Festival of 2023 saw Johnny Depp grace the opening night screening of “HWJN”. The actor’s latest film, “Jeanne du Barry”, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May earlier this year and will be shown on Friday as part of the festival. Dressed in a stylish all-black tuxedo, Depp was seen walking down the red carpet. Other notable personalities such as Smith were also spotted at the event, looking sharp in his dark black suit and dress shoes. Fans approached Smith requesting selfies, and he kindly obliged, posing for as many as he could. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what the festival had in store.

Will Smith graced the Opening Night screening of “HWJN” at the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023, adding star power to the event. Sofía Vergara also made an appearance on stage during the opening ceremony, coinciding with the release of a new trailer for her highly anticipated limited series titled Griselda on Netflix. The guest list also included Sharon Stone and Michelle Williams, among others, as reported by Deadline. Baz Luhrmann was chosen as the head of the competition jury and expressed his delight at being given the title, while also attending the festival.

During the Opening Ceremony at the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023 on November 30, 2023, Sofia Vergara took to the stage to share her thoughts on the event. Meanwhile, Jada Pinkett Smith had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with her husband Will Smith and their three children. The powerful historical and physical landscapes in the film Lawrence of Arabia mesmerized the director as a child watching the movie in a local cinema near the small town where they grew up. This experience sparked a deep passion for the Arabian world, which was further fueled by a visit to Saudi Arabia and witnessing the remarkable young filmmaking talent emerging in the region. The festival is described on its website as a multi-day event that caters to film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and the global film industry.

Sharon Stone graced the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023’s Opening Night screening of “HWJN”. The festival promises a sneak peek into upcoming blockbuster hits, as well as a chance to revisit beloved old classics through curated retrospectives and restored versions. Additionally, attendees can immerse themselves in visually stunning worlds and take a chance on experimental and short film showcases.