logo
Sofia Carson wears Elie Saab at Biarritz Film Festival

Sofia Carson wears Elie Saab at Biarritz Film Festival

Arab Newsa day ago

DUBAI: American actor and singer Sofia Carson attended the third Nouvelles Vagues International Biarritz Film Festival this week, wearing a black ensemble by Lebanese designer Elie Saab.
Her outfit featured a long-sleeved dress with a bow-tied collar and layered ruffle detailing along the sleeves and bodice. The skirt was tiered and embellished with black sequins and sheer mesh panels, creating a structured silhouette with varied textures. She completed the look with black pointed-toe heels and diamond earrings.
Held annually in the southwestern coastal town of Biarritz, the festival highlights emerging voices in global cinema and focuses on innovation in storytelling.
A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)
Carson appeared on the red carpet alongside other guests and filmmakers as the festival launched its week-long program of screenings, panels, and industry discussions.
She later shared photos from the event on Instagram, writing: 'Honored to be a part of a jury of extraordinary young artists, filmmakers, directors, lovers of cinema. Merci @festivalnouvellesvagues for celebrating the power, responsibility, and artistry of youth in cinema.'
Carson has long been a fan of Saab's designs. Earlier this month she showcased multiple looks by the couturier during Netflix-related events.
A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)
In the lead-up to Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event, the platform's global celebration of fandom and storytelling, Carson wore a white ensemble featuring a tailored blazer, wide-leg trousers and a matching shirt.
On a separate occasion she wore an all-black outfit composed of wide-leg trousers and a sheer top with cape-like sleeves, tied at the neck with a long scarf. Both outfits were from Saab's Ready-to-Wear Pre-Fall 2025 Collection.
A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)
She appeared in one of the designer's ensembles in March while promoting her latest project, 'The Life List.' She also wore a green dress from the designer's Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2023–2024 Collection during an appearance on 'CBS Mornings' in New York. The look featured an oversized floral embellishment at the neck in shades of yellow and white, styled with deep green knee-high boots and a matching bag.
Later that same week, she wore another look by the designer, a black dress with a fitted silhouette and structured shoulders. She styled it with long leather gloves, sheer black stockings and pointed-toe pumps.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Palestinian solidarity takes center stage at Glastonbury
Palestinian solidarity takes center stage at Glastonbury

Arab News

time12 hours ago

  • Arab News

Palestinian solidarity takes center stage at Glastonbury

DUBAI: Glastonbury Festival 2025 is making headlines not just for its music, but for the powerful pro-Palestinian messages echoing across its stages and crowds. Irish rap group Kneecap drew one of the festival's largest crowds at the West Holts Stage. Dozens of Palestinian flags flew in the crowd as the show opened with an audio montage of news clips referring to the band's critics and legal woes. Mo Chara of Irish rap group Kneecap wearing a keffiyeh at Glastonbury festival. (AFP) Between high-energy numbers that had fans forming a large mosh pit, the band members — sporting keffiyehs — led the audience in chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'Free Mo Chara.' They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was 'appropriate' for Kneecap to play Glastonbury. One member wore a T-shirt emblazoned with 'We Are All Palestine Action,' referencing the direct-action network that targets arms factories supplying Israel. Earlier that day, punk duo Bob Vylan also stirred controversy with a performance that included the chant 'Death to the IDF.' The statement has prompted a police investigation and sparked a broader debate over the limits of free speech in live performance. Across the festival, Palestinian flags were visible in every direction — raised by artists, waved in the crowd, and printed on T-shirts and posters. Activist installations, including a projection mapping Gaza's destruction, drew foot traffic near the Apocalypse Museum area, while several artists circulated an open letter calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Fans Celebrate ‘Squid Game' Finale with Seoul Parade
Fans Celebrate ‘Squid Game' Finale with Seoul Parade

Asharq Al-Awsat

time21 hours ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Fans Celebrate ‘Squid Game' Finale with Seoul Parade

Thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the final "Squid Game" season, ending a global Netflix hit that is seen as a symbol of South Korea's cultural clout. The third and final season was released Friday, concluding the series that sees desperate people compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games for a massive cash prize. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he had "poured everything" into the series, which launched nearly four years ago. "So while it's sentimental to see it end," he said, "there's also a sense of relief". Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents. They were followed by others carrying oversize toys from one of the games featured in the series, along with the show's flag. Park Sang-gyu, a fan who stayed up all night watching the final season, said the dystopian drama was "ultimately a story about people". "As you watch, you realize it's not just about the games -- it reflects many aspects of real life." The walls of the Seoul Metropolitan Library were lit up with key scenes, including Young-hee -- the giant motion-sensing animatronic doll featured in one of its brutal games. Lee Byung-hun, who played the masked Front Man overseeing the competition, said the show had become "something of a cultural phenomenon". "One that has drawn one of the boldest lines in the history of Korean content," he said. The first two seasons of the series are among Netflix's most-watched shows, and in 2022, Hwang and the show's leading actor, Lee Jung-jae, became the first Asian men to win Emmy Awards. The final season follows its hero Gi-hun, played by Lee, as he returns to the ultra-violent games to dismantle them from within after surviving the first round. Along with filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 thriller "Parasite" and K-pop sensation BTS, "Squid Game" is considered one of the most powerful examples of South Korea's rise as a global cultural force.

Growing Saudi film industry driving job creation, economic growth
Growing Saudi film industry driving job creation, economic growth

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

Growing Saudi film industry driving job creation, economic growth

RIYADH: Since lifting the cinema ban in 2018, Saudi Arabia has rapidly transformed its film industry into a key engine of job creation and economic diversification. By 2024, the Kingdom had opened over 630 cinema screens across 60 locations, with ambitions to exceed 1,000 by 2030. This expansion is expected to create over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to a broader entertainment ecosystem projected to generate around 450,000 employment opportunities and push the sector's gross domestic product contribution to 4.2 percent by the end of the decade. Building an industry To date, more than SR3.5 billion ($933 million) has been invested in cinema infrastructure, content services, and technology by local and international players. According to Shahid Khan, partner and global head of media, entertainment, sports, and culture at Arthur D. Little Middle East, these investments have extended beyond major cities into developing regions, promoting more inclusive economic growth. 'A notable example is Muvi Cinemas, the first Saudi-owned cinema brand and current market leader, which has rapidly expanded to establish itself as the market leader. It has employed hundreds of Saudis and actively invested in workforce localization through training programs aimed at building local capabilities in cinema operations and management,' Khan said. He added that box office revenues have held steady at SR900 million annually for the past three years, with food and beverage sales contributing over SR500 million each year — strengthening the sector's role in Saudi Arabia's non-oil revenue diversification. Khan also pointed to the positive spillover into local film production, supported by regulatory incentives from the Film Commission, which is laying the groundwork for sustainable, locally driven industry growth. Films produced in these locations help showcase the Kingdom's unique natural and historical assets, sparking interest among global audiences and encouraging tourism. Abeer Al-Husseini, partner at Fragomen According to Abeer Al-Husseini, partner at Fragomen, the establishment of entities like the Film Commission and the General Entertainment Authority, alongside the development of advanced studios, has opened up new opportunities in creative, technical, and support roles. She noted that this momentum is also fueling demand for film and media education. 'Event management, hospitality and cultural tourism have similarly benefited, particularly around major film festivals and heritage venues. Incentives like the Cash Rebate Incentive Program, which offers up to 40 percent in non-refundable grants, draw in international productions and further drive job creation,' Al-Husseini said. She added that Saudization is making steady progress, with full nationalization in cinema sales and supervisory roles and 50 percent in technical jobs, placing Saudi talent at the center of the sector's growth. Al-Husseini also emphasized the broader impact of cultural initiatives such as the Red Sea International Film Festival, which supports global filmmakers while boosting local tourism and ancillary sectors including entertainment, food, media, and digital content. Vision 2030 and a cinematic future Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an international production hub by capitalizing on a combination of geographic diversity, government incentives, and growing infrastructure. From Arthur D. Little's standpoint, initiatives such as Film AlUla have played a crucial role since 2020, attracting over 120 productions to the region, including international titles like Kandahar and Norah. 'Meanwhile, NEOM has become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's emerging media industry. Over the past two years, the region has reportedly produced more than 35 projects spanning various formats, genres, and production scales,' said Khan, adding: T'his includes high-profile projects like the Apple TV+ series Foundation and the international blockbuster Desert Warrior, which employed hundreds of Saudis in areas such as set design, catering, security, and logistics.' He noted that these projects are helping build a skilled local workforce, with government cash rebates and infrastructure investment creating the foundations for a world-class production ecosystem. The country's target of producing 100 feature films by 2030 is also expected to unlock opportunities across tourism and hospitality. • This expansion is expected to create over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to a broader entertainment ecosystem projected to generate around 450,000 employment opportunities and push the sector's gross domestic product contribution to 4.2 percent by the end of the decade. • While meeting Saudization requirements will remain a key challenge as demand for skilled workers rises, the influx of international talent presents valuable opportunities for collaboration, training, and upskilling the local workforce. 'A compelling example of this potential can be seen in Australia, where Mission Impossible: 2 significantly boosted tourism — contributing to approximately 200 percent increase in visitors to the film location within a few years. Similarly, Saudi Arabia's cinematic exposure is poised to elevate the Kingdom's profile on the global stage, attracting tourists, stimulating local economies, and advancing the goals of Vision 2030,' he said. Al-Husseini underscored the role of AlUla and NEOM in promoting the Kingdom's unique cultural and futuristic offerings, both critical to advancing Vision 2030. 'Films produced in these locations help showcase the Kingdom's unique natural and historical assets, sparking interest among global audiences and encouraging tourism. This boost in tourism supports local businesses in hospitality, retail and transport,' she said. Looking ahead, Arthur D. Little's Khan said that by 2025, the Saudi film sector is expected to create thousands of new jobs across related industries, supported by generous incentives such as a 40 percent production rebate and dedicated funding programs. University-level film and media programs are also helping nurture the next generation of local talent. 'Tourism will see strong gains as well. AlUla and NEOM's media zone is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of creative professionals and visitors annually once fully operational,' he said. Khan highlighted key opportunities in developing Arabic-language content, forming public-private partnerships to support talent pipelines and infrastructure, and exporting Saudi films to neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council, African, and Asian markets. However, he noted the need to address challenges such as building a skilled workforce, navigating cultural sensitivities, and adapting to shifts toward digital streaming platforms. Al-Husseini emphasized that Saudi Arabia's film industry is on course to boost employment and growth, with infrastructure investments — like AlHisn Studios — strengthening its capacity for large-scale productions. 'Partnerships with global production companies are on the rise, as seen in the MBS Group's recent agreement to manage and operate AlUla Studios. At the same time, training programs and workshops are being rolled out to develop local talent while attracting international professionals, supporting long-term industry sustainability,' she said. She concluded that while meeting Saudization requirements will remain a key challenge as demand for skilled workers rises, the influx of international talent presents valuable opportunities for collaboration, training, and upskilling the local workforce.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store