Sandra‘s Closet

It is with deep gratitude that I share this exciting news. After the recent passing of my beloved father, I am only now finding the space to announce something truly meaningful to me, I will be joining the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 as one of its distinguished speakers.

I still hold the most beautiful memories of attending the Creative Women Forum back in 2019 in Cyprus, a time filled with inspiration, connection, and powerful conversations among women shaping the world. To return now, on an even greater stage in Saudi Arabia, feels both humbling and uplifting.

Taking place from 4–6 November 2025 under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Noura Bint Saud Bin Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Forum will be hosted at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, the largest women’s university in the world. This extraordinary venue stands as a true symbol of empowerment and progress.

The three-day event, created by the visionary Olga Balakleets, Founder and CEO of the Creative Women Platform, alongside Executive Director Rebeca Riofrio, brings together global thought leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and policymakers. Under the theme «EMPOWER | ENGAGE | SUSTAIN – Women Leading Initiatives,» it celebrates female innovation and leadership in perfect harmony with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

I am deeply honoured to participate in the panel «The Future is Creative – Path to a Sustainable Future», which will explore how creativity and sustainability intersect to shape tomorrow’s world. The discussion will be moderated by Maxim Jago, futurist and author, and I am privileged to share the stage with these inspiring women:
• Prathibha Prahlad – Founder & Chairperson, Prasiddha Foundation & Forum For Art Beyond Borders; Founder & Festival Director, Delhi International Arts Festival
• Yasmeen Gailani – Deputy Director, MENA, Sotheby’s Middle East Specialist and Representative
• Martha Fiennes – Award-winning Filmmaker, Screenwriter & Digital Artist
• Norah Alkhursany – Head of Strategic Partnership Department, Oil Sustainability Program (OSP)

The Forum will conclude with a prestigious Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on the evening of 6 November, celebrating leadership, sustainability, and creativity under royal patronage, an inspiring finale to three unforgettable days of empowerment, dialogue, and connection.

If you would like to be part of this remarkable gathering of women shaping the future, tickets are still available:
 creativewomen.co/creative-women-forum-saudi-arabia-2025

I look forward to reconnecting with inspiring minds from around the world and to celebrating the power of creativity, purpose, and female leadership in Riyadh.

With heartfelt gratitude, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Creative Women Platform / © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Saturday night as part of the 11th Zurich Film Festival, I attended the wonderful IWC Schaffhausen “For the Love of Cinema” Gala Dinner at the Park Hyatt hotel during which Oscar winner Christoph Waltz presented the first-ever Filmmaker Award, worth CHF 100,000 in sponsorship. The award was set up by the Association for the Promotion of Film in Switzerland, which was founded last December by Marc Forster, IWC CEO Georges Kern, the co-directors of the Zurich Film Festival Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri, and the CEO of Ringier, Marc Walder.

To celebrate the occasion, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer had invited some 200 VIP guests from the worlds of film, media, politics and commerce.

On the red carpet

Bernhard Burgener, Norbert Preuss and Michael Steiner (“Und morgen seid ihr tot”) and Lisa Blatter and Jan Gassmann (“Europe, She Loves“) receive the Filmmaker Award. 

From the four nominated films, the jury picked two winners: “Und morgen seid ihr tot” (“Tomorrow You’ll Be Dead”) and “Europe, She Loves”. Christoph Waltz, who presented the award, shot to fame with roles in “Inglourious Basterds” and “Django Unchained” by the American cult director Quentin Tarantino.

Christoph Waltz

“I am proud to be here in person to present this award, which is very important for the Swiss film industry. Providing sponsorship for filmmakers is a necessary and relevant task, one which makes a significant contribution to the diversity of Swiss film,” said the two-time Academy Award winner. The two winning projects were also each presented with an IWC watch – the Portugieser Automatic in stainless steel with a black dial and a special rotor engraving with “1st Filmmaker Award Zurich 2015”.

Actor Christoph Waltz, IWC CEO Georges Kern and director Marc Forster during dinner.

Philipp Fankhauser and band performed at the gala. 

After the dinner, we continued the party at Club Adagio into the small hours of the morning. It was a truly amazing night… thanks IWC Schaffhausen for having me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Lennart Preiss/Getty Images for IWC