Gwyneth Paltrow catches in the eye in bright yellow dress while Halle Berry flashes her cleavage in sequinned gold gown at the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival

Gwyneth Paltrow stood out from the crowd as she joined Halle Berry at the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

The actress, 51, turned heads in a bold yellow dress with voluminous sleeves and a draped skirt.

Her brightly coloured number boasted a central slit to give a peek at her long legs and matching strappy yellow high heels. 

Gwyneth swept her blonde hair back in an elegant ponytail to show off her diamond encrusted dangly earrings.

The Goop founder beamed as she posed on the red carpet alongside the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Mohammed Al Turki.

Meanwhile, Halle, 57, ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived in an ornate gold and black high-necked gown.

Her show-stopping outfit boasted long sleeves, structured shoulder-pads and was covered in intricate embroidered sequin patterns.

The Oscar winning actress added a daring touch as she flashed a glimpse of her ample cleavage through the sheer bodice. 

Halle was joined at the event by her boyfriend Van Hunt, who looked dapper in a black tuxedo and matching shirt.

Jury member Freida Pinto looked nothing short of sensational in a strapless red gown with a sheer corsetted bodice and sequin detailing.

The Slumdog Millionaire star, 39, sported a large diamond necklace as well as a matching bracelet, ring and earrings for added glamour.

She styled her raven hair in an intricate updo and completed her striking look with black winged eyeliner.

Andrew Garfield looked typically dashing in a white open collared shirt and a black suit as he threw up a peace sign for the photographers. 

Joel Kinnaman cut a stylish figure in a brown blazer with embroidered patterns stitched into it.

He teamed it with a coordinating pair of trousers, leather shoes and a plain black vest with a silver chain.

Georgina Chapman dazzled in a metallic gold gown with a daring leg slit and floaty lace and bejewelled sleeves. 

She added an extra few inches of height to her frame with a pair of gold high heels adorned with flowers.

The fashion designer added a pair of sparkly statement earrings and opted for a full face of glamorous make-up.

She was joined by her boyfriend Adrien Brody, who looked dashing in a black blazer and trousers.

He added a white shirt underneath, a classic black bow tie and a pair of smart black shoes.

The loved-up couple posed together in their seats inside and stopped to take a snap with Freida.

Henry Golding looked handsome in a dark teal velvet suit layered over a white button-up shirt.

The actor teamed it with a unique knitted black tie and added a black and white patterned pocket square.

Jason Statham put on a debonair display in a classic black suit with a collared shirt and black bow tie.

The action star added a white pocket square for an extra touch and a pair of shiny black dress shoes.

Professional boxer Amir Khan was also in attendance at the event with his wife Faryal Makhdoom.

He looked sharp in a black double breasted blazer, teamed with a coordinating shirt and trousers and a blue spotted tie.

Faryal cut a glamorous figure in a white satin gown with a dramatically long train that flowed behind her on the red carpet.

Her draped number boasted a daringly high slit to show off her long legs and was encrusted in gemstones.

She covered her head in a hood attached to her dress and added a diamond necklace and bracelet for even more sparkle.

The Red Sea Film Festival, which has attracted stars like Will Smith, Sharon Stone and Johnny Depp, has been at the centre of an ‘arts-washing’ controversy this week.

The Festival in Jeddah is run by a foundation chaired by the Saudi culture minister.

Critics regard it as a part of the regime’s ‘arts-washing’ and ‘sports-washing’ in which glamorous international events are held in order to distract from human rights abuses.

Homosexuality remains a crime punishable by death in the kingdom and widespread outrage greeted the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, by agents of the Saudi government at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

On Friday, the Puck news website ran an item about ‘the Saudi’s blood red carpet’ claiming: ‘$1 million was the standing offer that went around the talent agencies for major stars to walk the carpet… Will Smith may even have gotten more than that.’

Johnny has a long-standing relationship with the festival as its foundation were among the backers of his comeback film Jeanne Du Barry.

Speaking at the festival at the weekend, Will – rebuilding his reputation after the Oscars slap in 2022, said he was keen to work in the Kingdom, saying he had ambitions to make: ‘A movie with Denzel – yes! A movie with Denzel Washington in Saudi!’ 

The chair of the jury this year is the Elvis and Moulin Rouge! Director Baz Luhrmann, who has also spoken warmly about Saudi Arabia.

The country banned cinema until six years ago but is now pouring millions into incentives to and this festival as part of its strategy aimed at moving the economy away from its dependence on oil.

Its selection as the opening title is seen as a sign of the growing strength of the film and TV business in Saudi Arabia, just six years after the lifting of the country’s 35-year cinema ban as part of its 2030 economy strategy.

A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch said earlier this year: ‘For a number of years the Saudi government has been using this high profile Festival as a means by which to draw attention from its egregious human rights record – and they are continuing to do this, unfortunately.

‘The human rights record in the country is only getting worse. We have documented an awful case of a retired teacher who was sentenced to death based on his peaceful twitter and YouTube activity in July this year.

‘It is deeply concerning that this Festival is engaging powerful artists and performers and celebrities who have made use of freedom of expression through their art and yet are participating in a Festival which is hosted by the government which does not tolerate that freedom.’

The message from the charity is: ‘If you must go, then use your platform to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.’