Queen Latifah was all kinds of inspiring at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah this week, and she wasn't holding back. The Oscar-nominated actor and music legend took the stage for the festival's "In Conversation" series and put the spotlight squarely on what Hollywood — and the world — needs more of: women.
"Women. Be Honest. Women."
Asked about untapped talent, Latifah didn't hesitate. "Women. Be honest. Women," she said, driving home the point that supporting women in film, music, and storytelling is not just nice — it's essential.
She even pointed to Saudi Arabia's remarkable progress as proof. Women in the kingdom's workforce shot up from 7% to 38% in just five years. "That's a healthy ecosystem. You should not resist," she added, tying it all back to creativity, life, and the roots of hip hop culture.
The Queen Collective: Backing Women Directors
Latifah also highlighted her Queen Collective, a production initiative she launched in partnership with Procter & Gamble and Tribeca Studios that backs women of color directors from their 20s to their 50s.
"We find directors who can tell stories that haven't been told yet," she explained. From short films about small, intimate details — like the gap in someone's teeth — to sweeping cultural narratives, the Queen Collective gives talented women the tools and platform to share stories the world hasn't seen. Since launching, the program has created over 300 jobs for emerging directors, more than 60% of whom are people of color.
On AI: Human Experience Is Irreplaceable
When the conversation turned to artificial intelligence and technology, Latifah kept it real. "Nothing replaces living life. You can't fake the quirks, the gestures, the tiny details that make a story real," she said, urging creatives to embrace innovation but never lose that essential human touch.
She reflected on her own career arc — including her Oscar nomination — and gave a heartfelt shoutout to early 2000s female artists like Aaliyah and Ashanti, honoring how women have long paved the way in music and storytelling long before anyone was paying attention.
A Champion for Diverse Voices
By the end of her talk, one thing was crystal clear: Queen Latifah isn't just an icon. She's a mentor, a powerhouse, and a tireless champion for women and diverse voices in entertainment.
Her advice to every creative in the room? "Stay strong, remember your history, honor your brilliance, and go for it. Don't be afraid. Your spirit is stronger than anything that's written down."
The Red Sea International Film Festival runs December 4–13 in the historic Al-Balad district of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Latifah's talk set a high bar for the star-studded lineup that follows.
