During the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Saudi artist and filmmaker Nabila Abuljadayel took part in the panel discussion “Shaping Narratives Equality Moonshot,” held as part of the World Woman Cannes Agenda. Organized by the World Woman Foundation, the event brought together professionals from the fields of art, entrepreneurship, and advocacy to discuss the evolving role of storytelling in shaping inclusive and culturally grounded narratives.
Abuljadayel presented her experience as a visual artist and co-director of the animated short Prostrate and Draw Near, a film made in collaboration with her mother, Suraya AlShehry. The short is based on a personal spiritual moment in the empty Holy Mosque of Makkah during the COVID-19 lockdown and was inspired by one of Abuljadayel’s artworks. The film has received international recognition, including a screening at the Venice Production Bridge and consideration for the 2025 Oscars. It was also added to the Academy Film Archive and has collected over 30 awards on the festival circuit.
During the panel, Abuljadayel emphasized the importance of cultural preservation in filmmaking and the relevance of stories rooted in specific identities. She also spoke about her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), underlining the potential of the arts to support humanitarian communication and foster empathy.
The World Woman Cannes Agenda positioned itself as a space for exchange between cultural figures and business leaders, addressing how narrative frameworks can influence broader societal developments. Abuljadayel’s participation contributed to a wider conversation about representation, authorship, and the visibility of underrepresented perspectives in global media and film.