Inside the 5th International Red Sea Film Festival: CEO & Directors Roundtable | A Mo Show Special

The 5th International Red Sea Film Festival offered an exclusive look into the evolving global film landscape through its CEO & Directors Roundtable, a high-level discussion that brought together influential voices from across the industry. Set against the backdrop of Jeddah’s growing cultural scene, the roundtable explored the festival’s role in championing diverse storytelling, supporting emerging filmmakers, and strengthening connections between regional cinema and the international market. Industry leaders shared insights on strategic collaboration, sustainable growth, and the creative responsibilities of festivals in shaping the future of film, highlighting the Red Sea Film Festival’s rising significance as a dynamic hub for dialogue, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange.

In this rare and deeply personal conversation, I was fortunate to sit down with Ruth as she opened up about the defining moments of her life, from learning the power of smart risk to helping stabilize the global economy in 2008. Her and I dive deep into Google’s AI strategy, how competition from ChatGPT ultimately makes the company stronger, the Nobel Prize–winning breakthroughs behind AlphaFold and Ruth’s candid view on how close we really are to finding a cure for cancer. Ruth also shares her “battle scars”, hiring philosophy, her vision for the future of teleportation technology, and the advice she would give to anyone looking to pivot their career successfully.A big thanks to the Google team in Riyadh for facilitating this shoot at their beautiful offices. 0:00 Intro 3:39 Leading Through the 2008 Financial Crisis 5:37 Flexibility vs. Rigidity in Career Paths 8:41 Thriving in Google’s Culture of Innovation 11:12 Google’s Approach to AI Competition 13:35 Unlocking Creativity with Gemini 17:14 Making Bold Bets at Google 19:20 Data Privacy and Security at Google 21:34 Google’s Investment in Saudi Arabia & Vision 2030 27:58 Future Tech: Teleportation & AI in Healthcare 32:10 Curing Cancer & Personal Battle 35:40 Life Lessons: Risk, Learning, and Mentorship 40:02 Reflecting on Regrets and Closing

 Peter Crone is a leading voice in human potential and performance, known worldwide as “The Mind Architect.” He works with elite athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs to help them break free from subconscious limitations and reprogram the beliefs that shape their lives.  Through his unique blend of psychology, spirituality, and practical wisdom, Peter empowers people to transform mental patterns, experience deeper freedom, and live with greater purpose and authenticity.In this conversation, Peter explores the deeper layers of human behavior and healingfrom creating a safe space for true vulnerability to understanding the architecture of the ego and the liberation found in admitting “I don’t know.” He offers compassionate insight into topics such as surrender, death, and suicide, and highlights how forgiveness especially of the “villains” in our lives opens the door to genuine freedom.  Peter also dives into the difference between therapy and healing, the importance of being seen, heard, and held, and the ways childhood guilt and inherited beliefs shape our adult lives. His reflections on parenting, authenticity, humility, and the quiet suffering behind people-pleasing provide a powerful framework for personal transformation.Beyond his one-on-one work, Peter is a sought-after speaker featured in major documentaries, top podcasts, and performance programs. His teachings offer practical tools for shifting from stress and limitation into clarity, possibility, and inner peace.  His mission is simple yet profound: to elevate human consciousness by helping people create lives rooted in authenticity, expansion, and true freedom. 0:00 Intro3:46 Creating a safe space for vulnerability6:43 Peter's Story9:19 The structure of the Ego9:11 The freedom of admitting "I Don't Know"16:00 Suicide & Death19:22 Surrender vs. Seeking23:44 "You do care, you just stopped worrying"28:37 Forgiving the "villains" in your life32:55 The difference between Therapy and Healing33:31 Seen, Heard, Held37:41 Releasing childhood guilt41:48 Parenting and suffering48:07 Being "Nice" vs. Being Authentic48:12 Staying humble despite fame53:35 Rapid Fire Questions57:24 Closing

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf is one of the most respected Islamic scholars and the co-founder of Zaytuna College in the U.S. He has spent over forty years studying with some of the world’s leading scholars and is known for making deep Islamic wisdom accessible and relevant to modern life. Through his books, lectures, and teaching, he’s helped countless people reconnect with their faith, find clarity, and make sense of the world around them.

Gary Brecka is a human biologist, longevity researcher, host of  @ultimatehumanpodcast  and co-founder of 10X Health, Gary spent over 20 years in life insurance analyzing bloodwork, biomarkers, and medical records to predict lifespan with astonishing accuracy. Realizing the system profits when people get sick, not healthy, Gary shifted his focus to proactive health, longevity, and human optimization.  Today, he helps CEOs, elite athletes, and high performers boost energy, reverse biological aging, and extend healthspan.On this episode, Gary and Mo discuss why the healthcare system waits for you to break before acting, how to transition from sick care to self-care, and which biohacks actually move the needle from sleep, oxygen, and nutrition to blood markers. They also explore why supplements are useless without testing and reveal the single most overlooked factor that accelerates aging. 0:00 Intro3:34 Leaving the Mortality Industry4:48 Purpose, Passion & Energy6:34 Bringing Longevity to the Arab World8:00 Predicting Mortality in Insurance10:07 AI, Big Data & the Future of Medicine13:34 Modern Medicine vs Root Cause17:13 Can Disease Be Reversed?19:02 Dana White24:52 “Genetics”, Food & Pharma28:13 Anxiety & ADD33:10 Why Everyone Needs a Methylation Test36:33 Gut Health & Mood40:55 Migraines & Solutions45:14 Autoimmune Disease & Rethinking the Immune System50:03 Why Root Cause Beats Medication51:00 Teaching Longevity to Children52:49 Closing Remarks

From IBM and Microsoft to serving as Chief Business Officer at Google X, Mo Gawdat has spent over three decades at the forefront of technology and innovation. Today, the bestselling author turns his engineer’s mind toward life’s biggest question: how can we live well and meaningfully in an age defined by artificial intelligence? This monumental 2.5 hour episode, which Mo Islam called “the best I’ve ever shot”, is a journey through life, loss, and the future of humanity.Mo Gawdat opens up about his late son Ali and the lessons that inspired ‘Solve for Happy’, before diving into the decade of disruption ahead: from the rise of AI and autonomous weapons to universal basic income and the impending economic reset. Together, the two Mo’s explore why Arabs are so misunderstood in the West, how ethical AI must be grounded in love and empathy, and how the Middle East can lead the next wave of innovation.  They challenge the failures of modern education, the grip of the military-industrial complex, and even the mysteries of the space-time continuum, all while searching for meaning in what Mo calls the “legendary level” of modern life. A very big thanks to Merwas Studios in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for inviting us to shoot in their WORLD CLASS Studios! 00:00 Intro03:18 IBM, Microsoft & Google X05:07 Losing Ali: The Moment Everything Changed09:27 Writing Solve for Happy11:41 Leaving Google & Launching “1 Billion Happy”13:35 Living with Loss17:05 Fate, Life & the Interconnectedness of Everything23:04 Death as the Opposite of Birth26:02 The Video Game of Life31:23 Ali’s Death & Mo’s Purpose34:53 Redefining Success: Impact over Ego38:54 Learning, Curiosity & Creation44:08 Solitude & Silent Retreats49:01 Meditation Practices55:13 Mindfulness in Daily Life57:06 The Loneliness Epidemic1:01:02 East vs. West: Community vs. Individualism1:05:10 Surveillance, Privacy & the Illusion of Security1:08:11 Raising Children in a Broken World1:11:03 The Collapse of Capitalism & the Rise of AI1:21:16 China vs. The West1:24:06 The Illusion of Stock Markets & Institutional Control1:30:03 War Economics: How Weapons Drive Profit1:35:19 Humanity’s Awakening & Questioning the System1:41:08 Reclaiming the Arab Narrative1:47:27 Building Ethical AI1:52:18 Entrepreneurship, Self-Reliance & Believing in the Region2:00:03 Education is Broken2:07:03 Business vs. Capitalism: Purpose Over Profit2:10:00 Reclaiming Global Perception2:17:13 Governance, Fairness & Leadership in the Arab World2:22:06 Living in Uncertain Times2:25:17 The Ultimate Video Game of Life2:26:57 Closing Reflections

"Awareness Solves Half of Your Life's Problems" - Tia Maria 164 | Integrative Nutritionist Gut Hormone Specialist. Tia is a double-certified Integrative Nutritionist specialised in Gut and Hormone Health. Her journey into wellness began early, shaped by watching her mother bravely battle breast cancer twice and her father navigate his own health challenges. These experiences sparked a deep curiosity about how the body and mind work together to create balance, vitality, and true well-being. A year and a half ago Tia founded TMD Wellness alongside her social media platforms to share her passion for integrative health and inspire a growing community committed to well-being.  Through an integrative and holistic approach, Tia’s mission is to empower you at every stage of your journey whether your goal is to optimize your health, cultivate sustainable habits, or restore your health from within. 00:00 Intro04:29 Gut Health 10107:32 Diet Culture, Stress Eating & Quick Fixes13:37 Pills vs. Food15:12 Obesity, Awareness & the Food Industry20:46 Sugar & Inflammation23:26 Finding Purpose26:44 Inflammation Explained Simply32:19 Delivery Apps, Portion Sizes & Awareness43:24 Hormones, Birth Control & Natural Balance51:01 Sleep: The Ultimate Longevity Hack58:13 Diets vs. Sustainable Living1:03:04 Discipline Over Motivation1:04:42 Setting Boundaries & Finding Balance1:06:15 Schools & Life Skills1:11:21 Leaving 9-to-5 & Trusting Your Gut1:17:30 Your Circle Defines Your Growth1:23:32 Enjoying Without Guilt1:26:40 The GCC Health Awakening1:43:01 Purpose Over Paycheck1:45:23 Gratitude, Purpose & Closing Remarks 

Nourine is a visual artist whose intricately detailed pencil drawings explore the line between reality and constructed imagery. Her immersive works challenge perception and invite quiet reflection. Beginning with photography or digital compositions, she meticulously translates her ideas into pencil on paper blending contemporary image-making with traditional technique. Through themes of identity, interaction, and perception, her focus on objects, surfaces, and textures creates a heightened sensory experience, prompting deeper reflection on how form and space shape human experience. In this intimate 90 minute conversation, Mo and Nourine traverse a wide spectrum from the evolving art world and the boundaries of creative freedom, to motherhood, postpartum depression, and the quiet strength it takes to support loved ones through life’s most testing moments.  0:00 Intro1:20 What Is Hyperrealism?5:02 From IBM Engineer to Full-Time Artist9:53 Instability, London Survival12:41 Independence, Failure Mindset Resilience19:18 Gulf Art on the Rise25:27 What Makes “Art”?28:00 Inspiration, Process Research Ethics38:52 Burnout vs. Patience45:00 Politics, Palestine Artistic Freedom47:12 Creative Blocks50:00 Postpartum Depression59:02 Family Balance, Presence Digital Detox1:09:11 Digital Addiction, Parenting Screens1:13:23 Preparing Kids For Life1:15:43 The IWC Minute1:18:04 Life Without Art:20:30 Mantras Influences1:24:06 Childhood, Vision, and the Gift of Observation1:26:53 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Kiran is the Chief Marketing Officer at Diriyah Company who is leading the efforts to re-establish Diriyah’s position as a globally recognized cultural and historical landmark. With a career spanning international marketing, communications, and brand transformation, he brings a wealth of expertise in crafting narratives that resonate with diverse audiences around the world. At Diriyah, he is driving initiatives that celebrate Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage while positioning it as a world-class destination for culture, history, and tourism. On this episode, Kiran unpacks the immense scale of the extraordinary project that represents the birthplace of Al-Saud. With several assets already open and many more including hotels, housing, branded residences, and retail outlets set to come online soon, the nearing completion of DG1 and DG2 marks another major milestone in Diriyah’s transformation. 0:00 Intro: City of Earth6:57 Responsibility, Expectations & Pressure9:05 Building a World-Class Saudi Marketing Team12:00 The Power of Authenticity17:30 The New Saudi Way of Living22:33 Coffee, Scent & Hospitality25:00 Blending Heritage with Modern Living28:01 Smart-City Vision31:00 Riyadh’s Urban Renaissance37:24 Shifting Global Perception44:32 Hospitality Pipeline50:16 A Low-Rise, People-Focused City52:01 Life in Diriyah: Pedestrian Lifestyle1:00:52 Life in Saudi vs Expectations1:04:05 Positivity and Hunger of the Saudi Spirit1:08:25 Advice for the Next Generation1:11:30 Closing Remarks

A Saudi storyteller, actor, writer, and director whose work blends art with social impact, Fatima is the founder of Alf Wad Production House and The Other Story Project, initiatives that have transformed storytelling into a tool for cultural dialogue and community building.Her breakout role in Barakah Meets Barakah (2016), Saudi’s submission to the Oscars, helped shape the country’s new cinematic wave. Named a “Next Generation Leader” by Time Magazine and described as the “Sophie Calle of Saudi Arabia” by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fatima has become one of the most recognized creative voices from the Kingdom. She holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University, where she researched Arab identity and gender representation in cinema and literature.0:00 Intro2:34 Childhood Background6:47 Control, Messiness Acceptance13:00 Parents, Resentment Empathy22:03 Imposter Syndrome35:13 Barakah Public Reaction41:50 Writing/Directing vs Acting45:30 Owning the Narrative55:04 Saudi Film Ecosystem Grows59:34 “The Other Story”1:11:24 Globalization Cinema1:19:32 Alwad: A Thousand Valleys to the Heart1:23:22 Red Sea Festival Market Maturity1:34:44 Mental Health, Phones Finding Balance1:40:31 Women, Theology Harvard1:49:58 “Carve What Isn’t There”1:52:56 Ignoring Bad Advice1:55:29 Feeling Most Alive1:58:32 Dreams, Manifestation Mortality2:06:13 ClosingFatima AlbanawiInstagram https://bit.ly/4mC4nP1LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3IBI5iEWikipedia https://bit.ly/4nNGdCiWebsite https://bit.ly/3IA3IQmThe Mo ShowYoutube https://bit.ly/3nDwsZvApple Podcast https://apple.co/3J9ScX4Spotify https://spoti.fi/33dzsC2Anghami https://bit.ly/3mRo1uyInstagram https://bit.ly/2KAwq5vX https://bit.ly/3KanEnJTikTok https://bit.ly/43L92poWebsite https://bit.ly/3H2DhMMEmail [email protected]