Mariam Al-Ghamdi is a Saudi actress, radio host, director and writer. She was one of the first women to feature on live radio in the Kingdom, reading the newscast in 1962. She began scriptwriting for TV in 1984, which paved the way for a career as a producer from 1993. She subsequently forged a successful career as an actress, appearing in shows including “Selfie,” “Sayf Barid,” “Harat Al-Shaykh” and “Hawameer El-Sahraa, as well as in the movie “Wadjda.” Al-Ghamdi earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah in 1989, and has written many story collections, such as “Ahobbak wa Lakin” and “Asmaa wa Nisaa.”  Al-Ghamdi appeared on the red carpet at the fifth Saudi Film Festival at the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran on Thursday. She praised Ithra for organizing the festival and supporting young filmmakers in Saudi Arabia, saying: “In the past Saudi filmmakers were on their own, but thanks to Ithra, they now have the support they need.” She was particularly excited at the progress of women in Saudi cinema: “I am truly proud of what they have achieved, and I hope to have played a part in bringing it about.”