In May 2025, Women and Roads. The Way to Yourself. Azerbaijan was officially presented at the Marché du Film of the Cannes Film Festival, with a screening at the Palais des Festivals. Directed by Kristina Kretova and Anna Kameneva, the film is the fifth chapter of their internationally acclaimed documentary project spotlighting women’s stories through travel, cultural identity, and personal growth.
Filmed across Azerbaijan in 2024, this chapter explores female friendship, inner strength, and ancestral legacy — including archaeological evidence linking the region to ancient Amazons. Among the film’s heroines, Narmina Hasanova attended the Cannes screening with a delegation of Azerbaijani guests, while Narmin Alakbarova, another participant, remained an active supporter of the project from afar.
The film was also presented at a special event hosted by the Female Film Club and HerFlix, in collaboration with Forbes. Held at Villa Forbes, this gathering of filmmakers, producers, and creators celebrated female voices in cinema. Anna and Kristina gave an official speech, sharing behind-the-scenes reflections and unveiling the teaser of the Azerbaijan film — adding a personal continuation to its presence in Cannes.
Returning to Dubai right after Cannes, the directors continued their journey by presenting the upcoming UAE chapter of the project at Tech Tuesdays — one of the region’s most forward-thinking platforms dedicated to creativity, innovation, and cross-sector dialogue. An early teaser was screened on the stage of Belcanto at Dubai Opera, offering the first glimpse into their sixth film currently in production.
The evening resonated with energy and purpose. Among the audience were powerful women already featured in the new chapter — Dr. Mouza Al Ameri, Chief of the Breast Care Center in Al Ain, and Ksenia Kostina, founder of Virée Dubai — who both joined the event to support the story and share in its unfolding.
From Europe to the Middle East, Women and Roads. The Way to Yourself continues to connect cultures, perspectives, and people — not only through the journeys filmed on screen, but through the real-life travels of its creators. Each chapter, each event, brings new voices into the circle — shaping a truly international conversation about resilience, identity, and the strength of women’s stories around the world.
