“Copa 71,” the Serena Williams-produced documentary that aims to shed light on the 1971 controversially unsanctioned Women’s World Cup, will have its New York premiere at the 14th annual Athena Film Festival, which will return on Feb. 29 and run through March 3.
The festival, hosted by Columbia University’s Barnard College, will feature a lineup of film screenings, conversations and other programming poised at “amplifying women’s leadership through storytelling around women’s sports, Indigenous perspectives, reproductive justice, disability representation and more,” according to the statement.
The Lily Gladstone-starring “Fancy Dance,” directed by Native American Director Erica Tremblay, will make up one of the films screened in the narrative features collection. “The Persian Version,” a film about an Iranian American family brought together by illness and shocked by the revelation of a family secret, “Animalia,” which follows a woman in Morocco who finds her life upended because of a supernatural event and “Dancing Queen,...
The festival, hosted by Columbia University’s Barnard College, will feature a lineup of film screenings, conversations and other programming poised at “amplifying women’s leadership through storytelling around women’s sports, Indigenous perspectives, reproductive justice, disability representation and more,” according to the statement.
The Lily Gladstone-starring “Fancy Dance,” directed by Native American Director Erica Tremblay, will make up one of the films screened in the narrative features collection. “The Persian Version,” a film about an Iranian American family brought together by illness and shocked by the revelation of a family secret, “Animalia,” which follows a woman in Morocco who finds her life upended because of a supernatural event and “Dancing Queen,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Diego Ramos Bechara
- Variety Film + TV
The Athena Film Festival has announced the finalists for the 2024 Athena List, the festival’s Black List-inspired selection of unproduced screenplays focused on female leadership.
High-profile projects that were featured on past editions of the Athena List, part of the Barnard-based festival, include Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex, Chinonye Chukwu‘s Clemency, the Sundance 2024-bound Out of My Mind by On the Basis of Sex writer Daniel Stiepleman, and Patricia Clarkson-starrer Lilly about Lilly Ledbetter and her fight for fair pay.
This year’s finalists are 7 on 10 by Samantha Lavin, A Bridge Between Us by Gina Hackett, I Don’t Dream in Spanish Anymore by Missy Hernandez, Keesha Goes to Camp by Rebecca Jordan Smith, Liars by Alicia Louzoun-Heisler, The Pendulum Woman by Katherine Hayes and Skrrrt! by Gabriela García Medina and Katherine Craft.
7 on 10 focuses on a former WNBA player sentenced to seven years...
High-profile projects that were featured on past editions of the Athena List, part of the Barnard-based festival, include Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex, Chinonye Chukwu‘s Clemency, the Sundance 2024-bound Out of My Mind by On the Basis of Sex writer Daniel Stiepleman, and Patricia Clarkson-starrer Lilly about Lilly Ledbetter and her fight for fair pay.
This year’s finalists are 7 on 10 by Samantha Lavin, A Bridge Between Us by Gina Hackett, I Don’t Dream in Spanish Anymore by Missy Hernandez, Keesha Goes to Camp by Rebecca Jordan Smith, Liars by Alicia Louzoun-Heisler, The Pendulum Woman by Katherine Hayes and Skrrrt! by Gabriela García Medina and Katherine Craft.
7 on 10 focuses on a former WNBA player sentenced to seven years...
- 1/17/2024
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein is launching a weekly podcast centered around interviews with women creatives and will no longer be publishing original stories on the Women and Hollywood blog she founded more than 15 years ago.
The 30-minute podcast will be called In Her Voice, building on Silverstein’s book of the same name about female directors, and will be available everywhere people get their podcasts.
The title of the podcast, Silverstein tells The Hollywood Reporter, also reflects her feeling that the podcast is not about her but about highlighting women in the industry.
“This is about women creatives in the industry, making sure people know their contributions and letting the world know we need to keep going,” Silverstein says. “We can’t take our foot off the pedal because we don’t want to backtrack.”
The main part of the podcast will “be a conversation with one or multiple women creatives,...
The 30-minute podcast will be called In Her Voice, building on Silverstein’s book of the same name about female directors, and will be available everywhere people get their podcasts.
The title of the podcast, Silverstein tells The Hollywood Reporter, also reflects her feeling that the podcast is not about her but about highlighting women in the industry.
“This is about women creatives in the industry, making sure people know their contributions and letting the world know we need to keep going,” Silverstein says. “We can’t take our foot off the pedal because we don’t want to backtrack.”
The main part of the podcast will “be a conversation with one or multiple women creatives,...
- 4/3/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2023 Athena Film Festival is set to open with a screening of Chinonye Chukwu’s acclaimed Till and close with the New York premiere of the timely Sundance selection Plan C.
The screening of Till, about how Emmett Till’s mother transformed her grief into a movement for justice, is just the latest in Chukwu’s history with the Barnard College festival focused on female leadership.
Her first film, Clemency, was on The Athena List, the festival’s Black List-inspired selection of best unproduced screenplays. That film also screened at the 2020 festival. And Athena launched the Chinonye Chukwu Emerging Writer Award in 2021.
And the Till screening comes after the acclaimed film surprisingly missed out on Oscar nominations including for star Danielle Deadwyler’s celebrated performance as Mamie Till-Mobley.
The festival will close with the New York premiere of Plan C, Tracy Droz Tragos’ documentary about a grassroots network fighting to...
The screening of Till, about how Emmett Till’s mother transformed her grief into a movement for justice, is just the latest in Chukwu’s history with the Barnard College festival focused on female leadership.
Her first film, Clemency, was on The Athena List, the festival’s Black List-inspired selection of best unproduced screenplays. That film also screened at the 2020 festival. And Athena launched the Chinonye Chukwu Emerging Writer Award in 2021.
And the Till screening comes after the acclaimed film surprisingly missed out on Oscar nominations including for star Danielle Deadwyler’s celebrated performance as Mamie Till-Mobley.
The festival will close with the New York premiere of Plan C, Tracy Droz Tragos’ documentary about a grassroots network fighting to...
- 2/22/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Women and Hollywood has a new date on the awards season calendar.
Set for Friday at the UTA screening room in Beverly Hills, Women and Hollywood is mounting the inaugural Celebrating Creatives in the Industry, an event that was created to highlight and celebrate women filmmakers “who have exhibited extraordinary work over the past year,” per the initiative and website.
The event will include a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing filmmakers today, featuring Kathlyn Horan, director of The Return of Tanya Tucker, Sanaa Lathan, director and actress of On the Come Up, Maria Schrader, director of She Said, and Domee Shi, director and writer of Turning Red. The Hollywood Reporter‘s senior film editor Rebecca Keegan will handle moderating duties.
The event is sponsored by Ruth Harnisch/The Harnisch Foundation with additional support from event partners United Talent Agency, Paramount+, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics and Disney/Pixar.
Set for Friday at the UTA screening room in Beverly Hills, Women and Hollywood is mounting the inaugural Celebrating Creatives in the Industry, an event that was created to highlight and celebrate women filmmakers “who have exhibited extraordinary work over the past year,” per the initiative and website.
The event will include a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing filmmakers today, featuring Kathlyn Horan, director of The Return of Tanya Tucker, Sanaa Lathan, director and actress of On the Come Up, Maria Schrader, director of She Said, and Domee Shi, director and writer of Turning Red. The Hollywood Reporter‘s senior film editor Rebecca Keegan will handle moderating duties.
The event is sponsored by Ruth Harnisch/The Harnisch Foundation with additional support from event partners United Talent Agency, Paramount+, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics and Disney/Pixar.
- 1/10/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
The Athena Film Festival, which celebrates female leadership, has revealed the third annual winner of its Alfred P. Sloan development grant, aimed at highlighting the role of women in science.
Jennifer Vanderbes — whose script about Fda medical reviewer Frances Kelsey, The Gatekeeper, was on the Barnard College event’s Black List-inspired Athena List of unproduced screenplays about women leaders — will receive 20,000 to help advance her script to the next stage of development.
The Gatekeeper, a historical drama based on Vanderbes’ upcoming nonfiction book Wonder Drug, also supported by the Sloan Foundation, focuses on Kelsey’s battle in the early 1960s to keep the drug thalidomide off the American market.
“Support from the Athena Film Festival’s Sloan Foundation development grant will help bring to the screen this important Stem story about the largest drug scandal of the 20th century,” Vanderbes said in a statement.
The Athena Film Festival, which celebrates female leadership, has revealed the third annual winner of its Alfred P. Sloan development grant, aimed at highlighting the role of women in science.
Jennifer Vanderbes — whose script about Fda medical reviewer Frances Kelsey, The Gatekeeper, was on the Barnard College event’s Black List-inspired Athena List of unproduced screenplays about women leaders — will receive 20,000 to help advance her script to the next stage of development.
The Gatekeeper, a historical drama based on Vanderbes’ upcoming nonfiction book Wonder Drug, also supported by the Sloan Foundation, focuses on Kelsey’s battle in the early 1960s to keep the drug thalidomide off the American market.
“Support from the Athena Film Festival’s Sloan Foundation development grant will help bring to the screen this important Stem story about the largest drug scandal of the 20th century,” Vanderbes said in a statement.
- 11/18/2022
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Before the #MeToo movement started shifting social and cultural perspectives, controversies at European film festivals were triggered by the selection of polarizing movies — think Gaspar Noe or Lars von Trier films. But in recent years, festivals such as Venice, Deauville, San Sebastian and Berlin have come under criticism when inviting and/or honoring filmmakers and talent who have been accused of sexual misconduct or domestic violence.
Whereas North American festivals such as Telluride, Sundance and Toronto have been careful about who they invite, either by conviction or pragmatism, their European counterparts have chosen to disregard red flags, underscoring a widening culture gap between the two continents.
Every major fest in Europe has had its share of controversy, including Venice, which selected Roman Polanski’s “An Officer and a Spy” for competition in 2019 and saw the film receive the Grand Jury Prize. Also in 2019, Berlin faced a crisis during the inaugural...
Whereas North American festivals such as Telluride, Sundance and Toronto have been careful about who they invite, either by conviction or pragmatism, their European counterparts have chosen to disregard red flags, underscoring a widening culture gap between the two continents.
Every major fest in Europe has had its share of controversy, including Venice, which selected Roman Polanski’s “An Officer and a Spy” for competition in 2019 and saw the film receive the Grand Jury Prize. Also in 2019, Berlin faced a crisis during the inaugural...
- 9/4/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Marcia Nasatir, a trailblazing female executive and producer who elbowed her way into a male-dominated Hollywood, shattering conventions and an important glass ceiling in the process, died on Tuesday morning. She was 95.
In a career of firsts, Nasatir worked for United Artists, Orion Pictures and Carson Productions, while producing the likes of “The Big Chill” and “Vertical Limit.” In 1974, she became the first female vice president of production at a major Hollywood studio when she was tapped for the job at U.A. It was a heady time to be at the studio, which had developed a reputation for backing edgy, filmmaker-friendly fare. In her post, Nasatir helped develop such movie classics as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Carrie,” “Apocalypse Now” and “Rocky.”
“It was called ‘having a career’ back then, not ‘going to work,'” Nasatir said in a 2018 interview with the San Antonio Current. “I was fortunate.
In a career of firsts, Nasatir worked for United Artists, Orion Pictures and Carson Productions, while producing the likes of “The Big Chill” and “Vertical Limit.” In 1974, she became the first female vice president of production at a major Hollywood studio when she was tapped for the job at U.A. It was a heady time to be at the studio, which had developed a reputation for backing edgy, filmmaker-friendly fare. In her post, Nasatir helped develop such movie classics as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Carrie,” “Apocalypse Now” and “Rocky.”
“It was called ‘having a career’ back then, not ‘going to work,'” Nasatir said in a 2018 interview with the San Antonio Current. “I was fortunate.
- 8/3/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Anna Serner, the well-respected CEO of the Swedish Film Institute who’s been a leading force behind gender parity campaigns in the film industry, has announced she will be stepping down from her role this fall.
News of Serner’s resignation has prompted a joint open letter from 50 organizations thanking the executive for her dedication to reaching equality and equity in the international film industry. The letter, initiated by the org Women in Film and Television International, praised Serner for her “decade-long commitment” as well as her “passion, dedication and clarity,” which has given [them] all hope, encouragement and strength.”
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of your work for gender equality. Since taking the helm of the Swedish Film Institute in 2011, you’ve been an unwavering force for women at all levels of the industry,” said the letter, which was signed by Helene Granqvist, from Women in Film and...
News of Serner’s resignation has prompted a joint open letter from 50 organizations thanking the executive for her dedication to reaching equality and equity in the international film industry. The letter, initiated by the org Women in Film and Television International, praised Serner for her “decade-long commitment” as well as her “passion, dedication and clarity,” which has given [them] all hope, encouragement and strength.”
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of your work for gender equality. Since taking the helm of the Swedish Film Institute in 2011, you’ve been an unwavering force for women at all levels of the industry,” said the letter, which was signed by Helene Granqvist, from Women in Film and...
- 4/28/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
In a fraught years for film festivals, some good news: the Venice Film Festival, one of the world’s starriest annual film events — and one that has previously resisted pressure to program more female filmmakers — has nearly reached gender parity with its competition lineup. This year’s festival will host eight films directed by women in its highest-profile section, where they will compete for the Golden Lion. Only four women have won the prize since the festival started in 1932, with Sofia Coppola as the most recent winner for “Somewhere” in 2010. The other past winners were Mira Nair, Margarethe von Trotta, and Agnès Varda.
The 2020 festival will play home to new films from a variety of the industry’s top female directors, including Chloe Zhao, Mona Fastvold (“The World to Come”), Emma Dante (“Le Sorelle Macaluso”), Nicole Garcia (“Lovers”), Susanna Nicchiarelli (“Miss Marx”), Malgorzata Szumowska (“Never Gonna Snow Again”), Julia Von Heinz...
The 2020 festival will play home to new films from a variety of the industry’s top female directors, including Chloe Zhao, Mona Fastvold (“The World to Come”), Emma Dante (“Le Sorelle Macaluso”), Nicole Garcia (“Lovers”), Susanna Nicchiarelli (“Miss Marx”), Malgorzata Szumowska (“Never Gonna Snow Again”), Julia Von Heinz...
- 7/28/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The online event will focus on representation and systemic change.
Directors Amma Asante, Paul Feig, and Julie Taymor are among the speakers signed up to Carla 2020, an online conference on creating structural change in the film and TV industries post-Covid-19.
Hosted by gender equality organisation Women in Film & TV International, the event will run from August 21-23.
Carla 2020 describes its mission as “to generate a deeper understanding of the power and impact of film and television to create cultural progress.
“The conference will highlight the fact that an increased focus on off- and on-screen representation is crucial for constructing...
Directors Amma Asante, Paul Feig, and Julie Taymor are among the speakers signed up to Carla 2020, an online conference on creating structural change in the film and TV industries post-Covid-19.
Hosted by gender equality organisation Women in Film & TV International, the event will run from August 21-23.
Carla 2020 describes its mission as “to generate a deeper understanding of the power and impact of film and television to create cultural progress.
“The conference will highlight the fact that an increased focus on off- and on-screen representation is crucial for constructing...
- 6/12/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
A series of high-profile names have committed to speaking at Carla 2020, a digital conference focusing on creating lasting structural change in the film and TV industries post-covid-19.
Keynote speakers will include Belle filmmaker Amma Asante, new Sundance director Tabitha Jackson, Swedish Film Institute CEO Anna Serner, and broadcaster Mo Abudu. They will open the conference with a series of talks on August 21.
Following on August 22 will be a series of speeches, in-conversations, roundtables and networkings events focusing on the subjects of diversity and inclusion. Panelists will discuss best practises and form new initiatives to guide the biz into a better future after the coronavirus crisis has receded. Subjects will include the mechanisms of power, racism, unconscious bias, intersectionality, sexual harassment, safety on set, and decolonizing narratives.
Speakers will include director Paul Feig, who is a recent addition so hasn’t had his specific involvement confirmed yet, but in the past...
Keynote speakers will include Belle filmmaker Amma Asante, new Sundance director Tabitha Jackson, Swedish Film Institute CEO Anna Serner, and broadcaster Mo Abudu. They will open the conference with a series of talks on August 21.
Following on August 22 will be a series of speeches, in-conversations, roundtables and networkings events focusing on the subjects of diversity and inclusion. Panelists will discuss best practises and form new initiatives to guide the biz into a better future after the coronavirus crisis has receded. Subjects will include the mechanisms of power, racism, unconscious bias, intersectionality, sexual harassment, safety on set, and decolonizing narratives.
Speakers will include director Paul Feig, who is a recent addition so hasn’t had his specific involvement confirmed yet, but in the past...
- 6/12/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
As the Athena Film Festival gears up for its latest edition later this month, the female-centric event has unveiled the winners and finalists of its annual script competition, The Athena List. The competition aims to select “exceptional scripts with women leaders at the heart of the story” and its “goal is to raise the profile of the scripts and the writers within the industry with the purpose of getting these movies made and elevating their careers to the next level.” “The introduction of the Athena List has made women-driven narratives about female leaders a priority, and we are pleased to present this year’s list of dynamic scripts,” said Athena Film Festival co-founder Melissa Silverstein in an official statement.
The program has already enjoyed big successes over a few short years, and previous winners include Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” (which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival...
The program has already enjoyed big successes over a few short years, and previous winners include Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” (which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival...
- 2/12/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Ricky Gervais attempted to joke about the lack of women filmmakers nominated for the 2020 Golden Globe for Best Director, but his remarks have generated backlash on social media. Additionally, the joke apparently landed with a thud among those in attendance at the Golden Globes ceremony. This year’s Golden Globe nominees for Best Director were all male directors: Sam Mendes (“1917”), Bong Joon Ho (“Parasite”), Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”), Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), and Todd Phillips (“Joker”). Considering the strength of several female-directed films, from Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” to Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” (both Golden Globe nominated in other categories), the Globes’ all-male nominees in 2020 proved controversial on nominations morning.
“No female directors were nominated this year,” Gervais said during the middle of the telecast. “That’s bad. I’ve had a word with the HFPA and they have guaranteed this will never happen again.
“No female directors were nominated this year,” Gervais said during the middle of the telecast. “That’s bad. I’ve had a word with the HFPA and they have guaranteed this will never happen again.
- 1/6/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Director Nate Parker apologized Sunday for how he handled the resurfacing of rape accusations against him following the premiere of his 2016 debut film, “The Birth of a Nation.”
“I’ve learned a lot in the last three years. It’s been a journey of wisdom — talking to people who are important to me, asking their advice, getting their support and learning more about myself, being introspective about the last three years, and I’ve learned a lot,” Parker told reporters during a press conference for “American Skin” at the Venice Film Festival.
Released at the height of #OscarsSoWhite, “The Birth of a Nation” won the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 for its depiction of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion. It was bought by Fox Searchlight for a festival record $17.5 million and was expected to be a major Oscar contender.
Also Read: 'Birth of a Nation' Opening Sparks...
“I’ve learned a lot in the last three years. It’s been a journey of wisdom — talking to people who are important to me, asking their advice, getting their support and learning more about myself, being introspective about the last three years, and I’ve learned a lot,” Parker told reporters during a press conference for “American Skin” at the Venice Film Festival.
Released at the height of #OscarsSoWhite, “The Birth of a Nation” won the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 for its depiction of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion. It was bought by Fox Searchlight for a festival record $17.5 million and was expected to be a major Oscar contender.
Also Read: 'Birth of a Nation' Opening Sparks...
- 9/1/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The Venice International Film Festival is facing online backlash for a lineup announced Thursday that features just two female directors out of 21 in competition films, as well as the latest film from director Roman Polanski.
“1 rapist. 2 women directors in competition #Venezia76. What else am I missing?,” Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein tweeted Thursday in response to the lineup that featured Polanski’s “J’Accuse.”
“I think the gender imbalance coupled with the Polanski is really a hurdle for me to be honest,” Screen Daily reviews editor Fionnuala Halligan said in a tweet. “We’re at a point now where it just shouldn’t be acceptable and the Polanski is just like rubbing salt into that.”
Also Read: Roman Polanski and the Joker Headed to the Venice Film Festival
The lineup is actually a slight improvement on the slates from each of the last two years of the festival, which only included one woman.
“1 rapist. 2 women directors in competition #Venezia76. What else am I missing?,” Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein tweeted Thursday in response to the lineup that featured Polanski’s “J’Accuse.”
“I think the gender imbalance coupled with the Polanski is really a hurdle for me to be honest,” Screen Daily reviews editor Fionnuala Halligan said in a tweet. “We’re at a point now where it just shouldn’t be acceptable and the Polanski is just like rubbing salt into that.”
Also Read: Roman Polanski and the Joker Headed to the Venice Film Festival
The lineup is actually a slight improvement on the slates from each of the last two years of the festival, which only included one woman.
- 7/25/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Venice Stirs Controversy With Only Two Women Directors In Competition And A Place For Roman Polanski
The Venice Film Festival has soared in recent years but the 2019 lineup could provoke the festival’s biggest polemic yet after artistic director Alberto Barbera revealed a 21-strong competition selection featuring only two women directors and a place for contentious filmmaker Roman Polanski.
Statistically, two women directors in competition – Haifaa Al Mansour with The Perfect Candidate and Shannon Murphy with Babyteeth – is an ‘improvement’ on the last two editions, which only featured one each. But even Cannes managed four this year. Berlin had seven.
Barbera stressed today that half of the titles in the festival’s Horizons strand are directed by women and that the overall lineup features a number of movies with women characters at their heart.
Venice came under fire last year from the European Women’s Audiovisual Network and other advocacy groups due to the lack of women directors in its lineup. The festival duly signed up...
Statistically, two women directors in competition – Haifaa Al Mansour with The Perfect Candidate and Shannon Murphy with Babyteeth – is an ‘improvement’ on the last two editions, which only featured one each. But even Cannes managed four this year. Berlin had seven.
Barbera stressed today that half of the titles in the festival’s Horizons strand are directed by women and that the overall lineup features a number of movies with women characters at their heart.
Venice came under fire last year from the European Women’s Audiovisual Network and other advocacy groups due to the lack of women directors in its lineup. The festival duly signed up...
- 7/25/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Here’s the (supposed) good news: The Venice Film Festival’s main competition lineup has twice the number of works directed by women as last year. The bad news: That means only a whopping total of two films, out of a slate of 21 titles.
Venice has made a stellar reputation for itself in recent years as a launching pad for award hopefuls, including star-studded Hollywood pics such as “La La Land” and “A Star Is Born.” But of the big-name film fests, it remains a laggard when it comes to gender diversity in its competition lineup.
Last year’s cohort of films vying for the Golden Lion included only one helmed by a woman, Jennifer Kent’s “The Nightingale.” There was also just one the year before that. This edition’s pair of female-directed movies are “The Perfect Candidate” by Saudi Arabia’s Haifaa Al-Mansour and “Babyteeth” from Australian Shannon Murphy.
Venice has made a stellar reputation for itself in recent years as a launching pad for award hopefuls, including star-studded Hollywood pics such as “La La Land” and “A Star Is Born.” But of the big-name film fests, it remains a laggard when it comes to gender diversity in its competition lineup.
Last year’s cohort of films vying for the Golden Lion included only one helmed by a woman, Jennifer Kent’s “The Nightingale.” There was also just one the year before that. This edition’s pair of female-directed movies are “The Perfect Candidate” by Saudi Arabia’s Haifaa Al-Mansour and “Babyteeth” from Australian Shannon Murphy.
- 7/25/2019
- by Henry Chu
- Variety Film + TV
Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has often found himself at the center of debates over the treatment of women in his movies. That conversation was reignited on social media after the May 22 Cannes press conference for his new movie, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Farah Nayeri, a reporter from The New York Times, asked Tarantino why Margot Robbie did not have more dialogue in the movie. In the film, Robbie stars as Sharon Tate, the model and actress who was murdered in 1969 by members of Charles Manson’s cult.
Robbie was third billed in the film after Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, but Tarantino’s scenes of Tate are mostly dialogue-free. The portrayal was clearly concerning to Nayeri. When asked about the decision not to have Sharon speak much in the film, Tarantino replied, “I reject your hypothesis.”
The question then turned to Robbie herself, who replied, “I think the moments...
Robbie was third billed in the film after Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, but Tarantino’s scenes of Tate are mostly dialogue-free. The portrayal was clearly concerning to Nayeri. When asked about the decision not to have Sharon speak much in the film, Tarantino replied, “I reject your hypothesis.”
The question then turned to Robbie herself, who replied, “I think the moments...
- 5/23/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Thierry Fremaux, the artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival, defended the decision to give controversial actor Alain Delon an honorary Palme d’Or during a sometimes testy press conference on Monday.
“We’re not giving Alain Delon the Nobel Peace Prize,” a visibly frustrated Fremaux said, drawing some laughter.
The move to recognize Delon, the star of “Le Samouraï” and “The Leopard,” has been criticized by women’s rights advocates such as Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein. They object to comments that Delon made in which he admitted to slapping women, opposed the adoption of children by same-sex parents and expressed sympathy with far right politicians.
Fremaux stressed that the festival was “honoring Delon as an artist” and was “paying tribute to his accomplishments in the film industry which have nothing to do with his political opinions or his friendship with Jean-Marie Le Pen.
“Delon is free to...
“We’re not giving Alain Delon the Nobel Peace Prize,” a visibly frustrated Fremaux said, drawing some laughter.
The move to recognize Delon, the star of “Le Samouraï” and “The Leopard,” has been criticized by women’s rights advocates such as Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein. They object to comments that Delon made in which he admitted to slapping women, opposed the adoption of children by same-sex parents and expressed sympathy with far right politicians.
Fremaux stressed that the festival was “honoring Delon as an artist” and was “paying tribute to his accomplishments in the film industry which have nothing to do with his political opinions or his friendship with Jean-Marie Le Pen.
“Delon is free to...
- 5/13/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Cannes Film Festival is going forward with its decision to award an honorary Palme d’Or to Alain Delon despite criticism from the U.S. organization Women and Hollywood over comments that the veteran French actor has made about slapping women, opposing the adoption of children by same-sex parents and supporting the rise of the far right in France.
Following Cannes’ April 17 announcement of the honor, Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein said she was “extremely disappointed” that Cannes would honor someone who held such “abhorrent values.” In a tweet, Silverstein said Delon “has publicly admitted to slapping women. He has aligned himself with the racist and anti-Semitic National Front. He has claimed that being gay is ‘against nature.’ The Cannes Film Festival has committed itself to diversity and inclusion. By honoring Mr. Delon, Cannes is honoring these abhorrent values.”
Cannes told Variety that it was “honoring Alain Delon...
Following Cannes’ April 17 announcement of the honor, Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein said she was “extremely disappointed” that Cannes would honor someone who held such “abhorrent values.” In a tweet, Silverstein said Delon “has publicly admitted to slapping women. He has aligned himself with the racist and anti-Semitic National Front. He has claimed that being gay is ‘against nature.’ The Cannes Film Festival has committed itself to diversity and inclusion. By honoring Mr. Delon, Cannes is honoring these abhorrent values.”
Cannes told Variety that it was “honoring Alain Delon...
- 5/6/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
During the Berlinale, Women in Film & Television International (Wifti) and post-production house Chimney launched a new gender equality initiative. Wifti unveiled 10% for 50/50, which provides rebates to gender-balanced productions.
Participating production and post houses, facility houses, and other service and tech providers will offer 10 percent rebates to projects that hire women-identifying individuals in four out of eight key roles, as outlined by ReFrame: writer, director, producer, lead, co-lead, speaking parts, department heads, and crew.
“We need to work together, side by side, to create change in our industry,” said Wifti prez Helene Granqvist. “I’m extremely happy that so many companies in this male-dominated industry are recognizing that working for equality is good for business, and have chosen to partner with Wift on this important initiative.”
“We were extremely excited to hear of the 10% for 50/50 initiative that Chimney and Women in Film & Television International are launching,” commented Nadia Khamlich and Adrian Politowski,...
Participating production and post houses, facility houses, and other service and tech providers will offer 10 percent rebates to projects that hire women-identifying individuals in four out of eight key roles, as outlined by ReFrame: writer, director, producer, lead, co-lead, speaking parts, department heads, and crew.
“We need to work together, side by side, to create change in our industry,” said Wifti prez Helene Granqvist. “I’m extremely happy that so many companies in this male-dominated industry are recognizing that working for equality is good for business, and have chosen to partner with Wift on this important initiative.”
“We were extremely excited to hear of the 10% for 50/50 initiative that Chimney and Women in Film & Television International are launching,” commented Nadia Khamlich and Adrian Politowski,...
- 2/20/2019
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
As the Berlinale expands its efforts to achieve gender equality, Women and Hollywood founder Melissa Silverstein co-hosted and moderated a discussion about women striving for industry change Saturday at Berlin’s Regent Hotel. The sharp and focused panel of six experienced industry women – creatives, organizers, journalists, festival organizers and activists – welcomed a full house composed of 98% women.
Silverstein welcomed Andrea Riseborough, the star of opening night film “The Kindness of Strangers,” on stage. The actress’ Mother Sucker Prods. co-sponsored the event.
Riseborough was surrounded by the Toronto Intl. Film Festival’s executive director and co-head Joanna Vincente, co-founder of Le Deuxieme Regard Berenice Vincent, South African writer-director Jenna Bass, whose feature “Flatland” is at the festival, and British Blacklist creator Akua Gyamfi.
Silverstein introduced the central question: “How are women in the industry pushing for change?” Other topics that arose were how much progress has been made, what expansion strategies...
Silverstein welcomed Andrea Riseborough, the star of opening night film “The Kindness of Strangers,” on stage. The actress’ Mother Sucker Prods. co-sponsored the event.
Riseborough was surrounded by the Toronto Intl. Film Festival’s executive director and co-head Joanna Vincente, co-founder of Le Deuxieme Regard Berenice Vincent, South African writer-director Jenna Bass, whose feature “Flatland” is at the festival, and British Blacklist creator Akua Gyamfi.
Silverstein introduced the central question: “How are women in the industry pushing for change?” Other topics that arose were how much progress has been made, what expansion strategies...
- 2/9/2019
- by Thelma Adams
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Athena Film Festival said Time’s Up co-founder Nina Shaw, The Miseducation of Cameron Post writer-director Desiree Akhavan and Toronto Film Festival co-chief Cameron Bailey have been selected as this year’s honorary award winners, bestowed to celebrate women leaders in the entertainment industry and those who support them.
The ninth annual Athena Film Festival, co-founded by the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College and Women and Hollywood with a focus on telling amplifying stories of fierce and fearless females, runs February 28-March 3 at Barnard in New York. It will open with Julia Hart’s Fast Color, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and closes with the New York premiere of the Sundance buzz documentary Knock Down the House in its New York premiere.
Shaw, a Barnard undergrad and founding partner at Los Angeles entertainment legal powerhouse Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, where she has repped talent for more than 40 years,...
The ninth annual Athena Film Festival, co-founded by the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College and Women and Hollywood with a focus on telling amplifying stories of fierce and fearless females, runs February 28-March 3 at Barnard in New York. It will open with Julia Hart’s Fast Color, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and closes with the New York premiere of the Sundance buzz documentary Knock Down the House in its New York premiere.
Shaw, a Barnard undergrad and founding partner at Los Angeles entertainment legal powerhouse Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, where she has repped talent for more than 40 years,...
- 2/7/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
When Oscar nominations are announced Tuesday morning, don’t expect many female directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, art directors, visual effects artists and sound mixers to be mentioned. This awards season, women combined have received only 11% of their guild and honor society awards nominations, which are most often bellwethers for the Academy Awards.
Female producers fared better this year, accounting for more than 22% of the PGA’s feature film nominations, though Saturday’s winner of the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures, Green Book, featured an all-male producing team. The PGA Award for best animated film went to the five producers of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – two of whom are women.
Women in the industry have made progress over the past year – all the hiring data indicates it – and the #MeToo movement has certainly captured Hollywood’s attention. But female nominees are still not showing...
Female producers fared better this year, accounting for more than 22% of the PGA’s feature film nominations, though Saturday’s winner of the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures, Green Book, featured an all-male producing team. The PGA Award for best animated film went to the five producers of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – two of whom are women.
Women in the industry have made progress over the past year – all the hiring data indicates it – and the #MeToo movement has certainly captured Hollywood’s attention. But female nominees are still not showing...
- 1/21/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The industry backlash to Skydance tapping former Walt Disney Animation/Pixar boss John Lasseter as its new head of Animation was immediate today from Time’s Up and Women and Hollywood. Both groups took great concern with the hasty forgiveness bestowed upon an executive with an alleged history of sexual harassment.
“I believe in second chances, and I believe we should push the dialogue forward,” said a rival animation exec about Lasseter’s situation in the #MeToo era, “but this is challenging for anyone, not just women.”
In the wake of #MeToo, some question whether there’s a way back for some of these men who’ve been accused (and who are apologetic), particularly a legacy executive such as Lasseter who possess an unprecedented track record — his Pixar slate has generated $13 billion at the global box office — and isn’t mired in criminal trials like Harvey Weinstein or, for that matter,...
“I believe in second chances, and I believe we should push the dialogue forward,” said a rival animation exec about Lasseter’s situation in the #MeToo era, “but this is challenging for anyone, not just women.”
In the wake of #MeToo, some question whether there’s a way back for some of these men who’ve been accused (and who are apologetic), particularly a legacy executive such as Lasseter who possess an unprecedented track record — his Pixar slate has generated $13 billion at the global box office — and isn’t mired in criminal trials like Harvey Weinstein or, for that matter,...
- 1/10/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with more industry reaction: Skydance CEO David Ellison had to know there would be critics of his hiring of John Lasseter to run the company’s animation division, but he might not have expected it to be so denounced as what Time’s Up said today.
“Hiring decisions have consequence,” the high-profile organization said in a statement Wednesday after the ex-Pixar chief and much accused Lasseter’s new role was made public. “And offering a high-profile position to an abuser who has yet to do any of those things is condoning abuse.”
The sentiment was echoed by other prominent Hollywood groups including Women In Film, Los Angeles and Women and Hollywood. The former questioned how Lasseter’s past conduct was vetted by Skydance, saying “For women in this industry to feel safe, we need more transparency than the above statement and we need to know what the company...
“Hiring decisions have consequence,” the high-profile organization said in a statement Wednesday after the ex-Pixar chief and much accused Lasseter’s new role was made public. “And offering a high-profile position to an abuser who has yet to do any of those things is condoning abuse.”
The sentiment was echoed by other prominent Hollywood groups including Women In Film, Los Angeles and Women and Hollywood. The former questioned how Lasseter’s past conduct was vetted by Skydance, saying “For women in this industry to feel safe, we need more transparency than the above statement and we need to know what the company...
- 1/9/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Directors and film journalists are reacting in fury to the film nominations for the 2019 Directors Guild of America Awards. The DGA announced nominees earlier today for Feature Film and First-Time Feature Film, and all 10 contenders are men. Nominees for Feature Film are Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”), Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”), Peter Farrelly (“Green Book”), Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”), and Adam McKay (“Vice”). The nominated directors for First-Time Feature Film are Cooper, Bo Burnham (“Eighth Grade”), Carlos Lopez Estrada (“Blindspotting”), Matthew Heineman (“A Private War”), and Boots Riley (“Sorry to Bother You”).
Filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson, who was snubbed by the DGA in 2016 but landed a Best Director Oscar nomination anyway for his drama “Room,” reacted to the nominations by telling his social media followers he was upset with the lack of recognition for two of the year’s most acclaimed women directors: Lynne Ramsay, who earned critical acclaim for “You Were Never Really Here,...
Filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson, who was snubbed by the DGA in 2016 but landed a Best Director Oscar nomination anyway for his drama “Room,” reacted to the nominations by telling his social media followers he was upset with the lack of recognition for two of the year’s most acclaimed women directors: Lynne Ramsay, who earned critical acclaim for “You Were Never Really Here,...
- 1/8/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Women in Film La and Women and Hollywood have joined forces for a social media campaign to support women directors that will launch Sunday, Jan. 6.
The campaign, which is entitled #RememberTheLadies, is designed to run until Jan. 14, and the timing of this campaign is no coincidence. January 6 marks the 2019 Golden Globe ceremony, and the almost 100 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. once again chose not to nominate any women directors this year. Voting opens for the 2019 Academy Awards on Monday, January 7, and the organizations hope their campaign will inspire those voting members to consider a more inclusive list for their ballot.
Directors included in the campaign are Susanne Bier (“Bird Box”), Anne Fletcher (“Dumplin'”), Debra Granik (“Leave No Trace”), Marielle Heller (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), Tamara Jenkins (“Private Life”), Karyn Kusama (“Destroyer”), Mimi Leder (“On the Basis of Sex”), Lynne Ramsay (“You Were Never Really Here”), Josie Rourke...
The campaign, which is entitled #RememberTheLadies, is designed to run until Jan. 14, and the timing of this campaign is no coincidence. January 6 marks the 2019 Golden Globe ceremony, and the almost 100 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. once again chose not to nominate any women directors this year. Voting opens for the 2019 Academy Awards on Monday, January 7, and the organizations hope their campaign will inspire those voting members to consider a more inclusive list for their ballot.
Directors included in the campaign are Susanne Bier (“Bird Box”), Anne Fletcher (“Dumplin'”), Debra Granik (“Leave No Trace”), Marielle Heller (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), Tamara Jenkins (“Private Life”), Karyn Kusama (“Destroyer”), Mimi Leder (“On the Basis of Sex”), Lynne Ramsay (“You Were Never Really Here”), Josie Rourke...
- 1/4/2019
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Directors, actors, producers, executives and film journalists were celebated at Lff photocall.
Actresses Rosamund Pike and Andrea Riseborough, producer Christine Vachon and directors Tinge Krishnan and Carol Morley were among the over 80 women who came together at the BFI London Film Festival to celebrate women filmmakers at the festival and women working throughout the UK and international film industry and as film journalists on Friday (October 12).
They were joined by Tricia Tuttle, artistic director of the Lff and Amanda Nevill, chief executive of the BFI. ”I’m so proud to celebrate more female filmmakers at Lff 2018 than ever before, and...
Actresses Rosamund Pike and Andrea Riseborough, producer Christine Vachon and directors Tinge Krishnan and Carol Morley were among the over 80 women who came together at the BFI London Film Festival to celebrate women filmmakers at the festival and women working throughout the UK and international film industry and as film journalists on Friday (October 12).
They were joined by Tricia Tuttle, artistic director of the Lff and Amanda Nevill, chief executive of the BFI. ”I’m so proud to celebrate more female filmmakers at Lff 2018 than ever before, and...
- 10/12/2018
- by Louise Tutt
- ScreenDaily
Sarah Silverman Reacts Against Mel Gibson’s ‘Wild Bunch’ Remake by Calling Out His Anti-Semitic Past
Warner Bros. has hired Mel Gibson to co-write and direct its upcoming remake of Sam Peckinpah’s 1969 Western “The Wild Bunch,” but the news wasn’t exactly met with cheers on social media. Gibson has a history of controversial behavior, ranging from making anti-Semitic comments to being convicted of battering his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. The director’s past reemerged on social media in reaction to his high profile new directing gig.
Sarah Silverman took to Twitter to call out Gibson’s anti-Semitic past, sharing an article about Gibson’s “Wild Bunch” remake with a caption that read, “Fucking Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.” The words are Gibson’s own from when he was pulled over in 2006 for speeding and drunk driving. Silverman was joined by numerous film writers in rallying against the news of Gibson’s latest directing project.
“Here’s Hollywood for you,...
Sarah Silverman took to Twitter to call out Gibson’s anti-Semitic past, sharing an article about Gibson’s “Wild Bunch” remake with a caption that read, “Fucking Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.” The words are Gibson’s own from when he was pulled over in 2006 for speeding and drunk driving. Silverman was joined by numerous film writers in rallying against the news of Gibson’s latest directing project.
“Here’s Hollywood for you,...
- 9/25/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Female filmmakers have faced many challenges over the year, but few experienced the outright hostility of their government, as Wanuri Kahiu did on her film, “Rafiki.” a lesbian love story.
Speaking at TheWrap’s Power Women Lunch at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday, Kahiu related how Kenya’s censorship board complained that her lesbian love story was too “hopeful” in a country where homosexuality is banned — and that her film could only be released there if she changed her ending.
Homosexuality is banned in Kenya, and so was Kahiu’s film. She said the censorship board complained that her film was too “hopeful,” and that they would allow its release if she changed the ending.
“The [Kenya Film Commission] asked if I had an ending that showed my lead as more remorseful. I said ‘No,'” she told a packed room of top women in the film industry. She...
Speaking at TheWrap’s Power Women Lunch at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday, Kahiu related how Kenya’s censorship board complained that her lesbian love story was too “hopeful” in a country where homosexuality is banned — and that her film could only be released there if she changed her ending.
Homosexuality is banned in Kenya, and so was Kahiu’s film. She said the censorship board complained that her film was too “hopeful,” and that they would allow its release if she changed the ending.
“The [Kenya Film Commission] asked if I had an ending that showed my lead as more remorseful. I said ‘No,'” she told a packed room of top women in the film industry. She...
- 9/8/2018
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
In a striking display of poor taste fashion sense, an Italian filmmaker paraded a ‘Weinstein Is Innocent’ t-shirt on the Venice Film Festival red carpet Saturday night for the world premiere of Suspiria. Venice fest chief Alberto Barbara told Deadline this morning the stunt was “a stupid move.”
Luciano Silighini Garagnani is described as a provocateur and right-wing supporter who has made a series of low-budget movies according to his IMDb page. One prominent Italian distributor told Deadline this morning that they had never heard of him.
This is not what the festival needs in a year it is taking heat for the lack of women directors in competition and as it attempts to distance itself from commentary which has connected the dearth of female filmmakers to a wider Italian problem of sexism.
Weinstein is facing the possibility of life behind bars from sex crime indictments by a New York...
Luciano Silighini Garagnani is described as a provocateur and right-wing supporter who has made a series of low-budget movies according to his IMDb page. One prominent Italian distributor told Deadline this morning that they had never heard of him.
This is not what the festival needs in a year it is taking heat for the lack of women directors in competition and as it attempts to distance itself from commentary which has connected the dearth of female filmmakers to a wider Italian problem of sexism.
Weinstein is facing the possibility of life behind bars from sex crime indictments by a New York...
- 9/2/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Bafflingly high praise at Cannes for Eva Husson’s Girls of the Sun – simply because it is directed by a woman – won’t help female directors’ cause
At first, everything went swimmingly. Never had a film by a female director been given such royal treatment in Cannes. The second feature from French film-maker Eva Husson was given the festival’s best screening slot on the Saturday evening. And to accompany the film’s team up the red carpet, Girls of the Sun got the best fan base it could possibly wish for: 82 female film professionals, all there to celebrate women’s empowerment. As the Hollywood activist Melissa Silverstein tweeted: “I am honoured to share that I will be one of the 82 women on the steps of the Palais tonight. We will stand for the 82 women directors who have been in the official selection. 1,645 films have been directed by men. This...
At first, everything went swimmingly. Never had a film by a female director been given such royal treatment in Cannes. The second feature from French film-maker Eva Husson was given the festival’s best screening slot on the Saturday evening. And to accompany the film’s team up the red carpet, Girls of the Sun got the best fan base it could possibly wish for: 82 female film professionals, all there to celebrate women’s empowerment. As the Hollywood activist Melissa Silverstein tweeted: “I am honoured to share that I will be one of the 82 women on the steps of the Palais tonight. We will stand for the 82 women directors who have been in the official selection. 1,645 films have been directed by men. This...
- 5/14/2018
- by Agnès Poirier
- The Guardian - Film News
Female representation and inclusion is a hot topic in Cannes, if sadly lacking in the competition lineup, and industry leaders came together Sunday to plot the next steps for the #MeToo movement.
The morning after an 82-strong group of women took to the steps of the Palais des Festivals to demand change, USC Annenberg professor Stacy L. Smith told a packed session inside the building that projects with inclusion riders should get bumped to the front of the queue for tax relief. The head of the Swedish Film Institute, Anna Serner, pledged that all of her organisation’s funding would go to female-led projects in 2020 if the goal of having a balance is not achieved by that point.
Serner told Variety that the industry has been given fair warning and she is not afraid to divert all 2020 funding to project that hit diversity and inclusion targets if the industry does not correct itself.
The morning after an 82-strong group of women took to the steps of the Palais des Festivals to demand change, USC Annenberg professor Stacy L. Smith told a packed session inside the building that projects with inclusion riders should get bumped to the front of the queue for tax relief. The head of the Swedish Film Institute, Anna Serner, pledged that all of her organisation’s funding would go to female-led projects in 2020 if the goal of having a balance is not achieved by that point.
Serner told Variety that the industry has been given fair warning and she is not afraid to divert all 2020 funding to project that hit diversity and inclusion targets if the industry does not correct itself.
- 5/13/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Red carpet protest highlighted fact only 82 women have been honoured in Official Selection over 71 editions of festival.
Cate Blanchett and Agnes Varda led 82 female industry figures in a silent ascent of the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday protesting the lack of female representation at the event over its 71 editions.
Moving, historic, 82 women from all countries and professions in cinema have just made the red carpet entrance for Les Filles Du Soleil (Girls Of The Sun) by Eva Husson. #Cannes2018 #Competition pic.twitter.com/0YY9SNbRqg
— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 12, 2018
Other stars joining the protest...
Cate Blanchett and Agnes Varda led 82 female industry figures in a silent ascent of the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday protesting the lack of female representation at the event over its 71 editions.
Moving, historic, 82 women from all countries and professions in cinema have just made the red carpet entrance for Les Filles Du Soleil (Girls Of The Sun) by Eva Husson. #Cannes2018 #Competition pic.twitter.com/0YY9SNbRqg
— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 12, 2018
Other stars joining the protest...
- 5/12/2018
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The women at the Cannes Film Festival made their voices heard at an extraordinary protest on the red carpet on Saturday evening, with Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart, Jane Fonda and Ava DuVernay among a group of 82 women standing in silent vigil ahead of a premiere at the Croisette.
Blanchett and French director Agnes Varda gave impassioned speeches in English and French, respectively.
“As women, we all face our own unique challenges, but we stand together on these stairs today as a symbol of our determination and commitment to progress,” read Blanchett and Varda’s statement.
“We will expect our institutions to actively provide parity and transparency in their executive bodies and safe environments in which to work. We will expect our governments to make sure that the laws of equal pay for equal work are upheld. We will demand that our workplaces are diverse and equitable so that they can best reflect the world in which we actually live. A world that allows all of us behind and in front of the camera to thrive shoulder to shoulder with our male colleagues.”
Moment historique de ce 71e @Festival_Cannes la “Montée des Femmes”. 82 Femmes du cinéma réunies sur les marches #Cannes2018 #Féminisme pic.twitter.com/aTO6sjekp2
- Citizen Cannes TV (@Citizencannes) May 12, 2018
“We acknowledge all of the women and men who are standing for change. The stairs of our industry Must be accessible to all. Let’s climb.”
Varda is one of only two women in Cannes Film Festival’s history to receive the Palme d’Or — the highest prize awarded — along with New Zealand filmmaker Jane Champion.
The group stood on the steps of the Palais des Festival silently to protest how hard it still is to climb the ladder as a woman in Hollywood. The protests, part of the rising 5050×2020 movement was planned ahead of the premiere of “Girls of the Sun,” a film in competition by director Eva Husson, one of only three female filmmakers in the running.
Also Read: Women in Cannes: A Short History of Small Victories and Decades of Male Dominance (Photos)
That is an improvement over Cannes’ historical record. Only 82 films in official selection in the history of the Cannes Film Festival have been directed by women. The number of women participating in the protest was selected to match this figure.
Others involved in the vigil are Salma Hayek, Marion Cotillard, director Patty Jenkins and Haifaa al-Mansour, and agents including CAA’s Hylda Queally and activist-journalist Melissa Silverstein.
DuVernay and Stewart are on the jury. Fonda is at the festival for the screening of a documentary about her life.
Silverstein told TheWrap that the protest originated with the French group Le Deuxieme Regard and the 5050×2020 collective, working directly with the festival.
“They get all the credit,” said Silverstein. “I am honored to work with them to amplify the message about the need for more women in the competition at the festival. This feels like a very big moment.”
On the 5050×2020 website, the organization released a statement echoing many of those given by women involved in the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements in Hollywood, noting how the downfall of producer Harvey Weinstein has triggered a demand for change and calling for the French film industry to confront that demand.
Also Read: 'Girls of the Sun' Film Review: A Middle Eastern Feminist Hero Slays Isis
“While French cinema wasn’t shaken by the Weinstein shock wave, it is essential that we move to take concrete action reaching beyond the issue of sexual abuse alone,” the site’s statement reads.
“We believe that the distribution of power needs to be questioned. We believe that equality restores the balance of power. We believe that diversity deeply changes representations. We believe that the opportunity to work in an egalitarian and inclusive environment must be seized because we are certain that the equal sharing of power will promote profound creative renewal.”
As TheWrap reported recently, the statistics for women in Cannes are pretty dismal: Over the first 71 years, a paltry 4.3 percent of the competition films have been directed by women. (See chart below.) Only one, Jane Campion’s “The Piano,” has won the Palme d’Or, though actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux were given honorary Palmes alongside “Blue Is the Warmest Color” director Abdellatif Kechiche’s real one in 2013.
Admittedly, things are getting better. Of the 11 times that three or more women have placed films in competition, eight have come in the last 13 years. Three women made the cut in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 — and four did so in 2011.
Also Read: Cannes' Female Troubles: Women Directors Have Always Been Scarce
This year along with Husson, the women in competition include Nadine Labaki with “Capharnaum” and Alice Rohrwacher with “Happy as Lazzaro.”
Read original story Cate Blanchett Calls for ‘Parity and Transparency’ in Red Carpet Protest of Gender Inequity in Cannes At TheWrap...
Blanchett and French director Agnes Varda gave impassioned speeches in English and French, respectively.
“As women, we all face our own unique challenges, but we stand together on these stairs today as a symbol of our determination and commitment to progress,” read Blanchett and Varda’s statement.
“We will expect our institutions to actively provide parity and transparency in their executive bodies and safe environments in which to work. We will expect our governments to make sure that the laws of equal pay for equal work are upheld. We will demand that our workplaces are diverse and equitable so that they can best reflect the world in which we actually live. A world that allows all of us behind and in front of the camera to thrive shoulder to shoulder with our male colleagues.”
Moment historique de ce 71e @Festival_Cannes la “Montée des Femmes”. 82 Femmes du cinéma réunies sur les marches #Cannes2018 #Féminisme pic.twitter.com/aTO6sjekp2
- Citizen Cannes TV (@Citizencannes) May 12, 2018
“We acknowledge all of the women and men who are standing for change. The stairs of our industry Must be accessible to all. Let’s climb.”
Varda is one of only two women in Cannes Film Festival’s history to receive the Palme d’Or — the highest prize awarded — along with New Zealand filmmaker Jane Champion.
The group stood on the steps of the Palais des Festival silently to protest how hard it still is to climb the ladder as a woman in Hollywood. The protests, part of the rising 5050×2020 movement was planned ahead of the premiere of “Girls of the Sun,” a film in competition by director Eva Husson, one of only three female filmmakers in the running.
Also Read: Women in Cannes: A Short History of Small Victories and Decades of Male Dominance (Photos)
That is an improvement over Cannes’ historical record. Only 82 films in official selection in the history of the Cannes Film Festival have been directed by women. The number of women participating in the protest was selected to match this figure.
Others involved in the vigil are Salma Hayek, Marion Cotillard, director Patty Jenkins and Haifaa al-Mansour, and agents including CAA’s Hylda Queally and activist-journalist Melissa Silverstein.
DuVernay and Stewart are on the jury. Fonda is at the festival for the screening of a documentary about her life.
Silverstein told TheWrap that the protest originated with the French group Le Deuxieme Regard and the 5050×2020 collective, working directly with the festival.
“They get all the credit,” said Silverstein. “I am honored to work with them to amplify the message about the need for more women in the competition at the festival. This feels like a very big moment.”
On the 5050×2020 website, the organization released a statement echoing many of those given by women involved in the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements in Hollywood, noting how the downfall of producer Harvey Weinstein has triggered a demand for change and calling for the French film industry to confront that demand.
Also Read: 'Girls of the Sun' Film Review: A Middle Eastern Feminist Hero Slays Isis
“While French cinema wasn’t shaken by the Weinstein shock wave, it is essential that we move to take concrete action reaching beyond the issue of sexual abuse alone,” the site’s statement reads.
“We believe that the distribution of power needs to be questioned. We believe that equality restores the balance of power. We believe that diversity deeply changes representations. We believe that the opportunity to work in an egalitarian and inclusive environment must be seized because we are certain that the equal sharing of power will promote profound creative renewal.”
As TheWrap reported recently, the statistics for women in Cannes are pretty dismal: Over the first 71 years, a paltry 4.3 percent of the competition films have been directed by women. (See chart below.) Only one, Jane Campion’s “The Piano,” has won the Palme d’Or, though actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux were given honorary Palmes alongside “Blue Is the Warmest Color” director Abdellatif Kechiche’s real one in 2013.
Admittedly, things are getting better. Of the 11 times that three or more women have placed films in competition, eight have come in the last 13 years. Three women made the cut in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 — and four did so in 2011.
Also Read: Cannes' Female Troubles: Women Directors Have Always Been Scarce
This year along with Husson, the women in competition include Nadine Labaki with “Capharnaum” and Alice Rohrwacher with “Happy as Lazzaro.”
Read original story Cate Blanchett Calls for ‘Parity and Transparency’ in Red Carpet Protest of Gender Inequity in Cannes At TheWrap...
- 5/12/2018
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
The Sarasota Film Festival, the 20th annual edition of which came to a close on Saturday, has announced its award winners in 10 categories.
Judges Penelope Ann Miller, Roberto Bentivegna and Patrick Harrison decided that I Am Not a Witch by director Rungango Nyoni won the narrative feature competition. Minding the Gap by Bing Liu was the documentary feature prize winner, as chosen by Tatiana Siegel (senior film writer at The Hollywood Reporter), Melissa Silverstein and Mark Bailey.
The fest also featured a Independent Visions jury prize, which includes a distribution deal from Factory 25. This year,...
Judges Penelope Ann Miller, Roberto Bentivegna and Patrick Harrison decided that I Am Not a Witch by director Rungango Nyoni won the narrative feature competition. Minding the Gap by Bing Liu was the documentary feature prize winner, as chosen by Tatiana Siegel (senior film writer at The Hollywood Reporter), Melissa Silverstein and Mark Bailey.
The fest also featured a Independent Visions jury prize, which includes a distribution deal from Factory 25. This year,...
- 4/23/2018
- by Zoe Haylock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Sarasota Film Festival, the 20th annual edition of which came to a close on Saturday, has announced its award winners in 10 categories.
Judges Penelope Ann Miller, Roberto Bentivegna and Patrick Harrison decided that <i>I Am Not a Witch</i> by director Rungango Nyoni won the narrative feature competition. <i>Minding the Gap</i> by Bing Liu was the documentary feature prize winner, as chosen by Tatiana Siegel (senior film writer at <em>The Hollywood Reporter</em>), Melissa Silverstein and Mark Bailey.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
The fest also featured a Independent Visions jury prize, which includes a distribution deal from Factory 25. This year, that award went ...
Judges Penelope Ann Miller, Roberto Bentivegna and Patrick Harrison decided that <i>I Am Not a Witch</i> by director Rungango Nyoni won the narrative feature competition. <i>Minding the Gap</i> by Bing Liu was the documentary feature prize winner, as chosen by Tatiana Siegel (senior film writer at <em>The Hollywood Reporter</em>), Melissa Silverstein and Mark Bailey.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
The fest also featured a Independent Visions jury prize, which includes a distribution deal from Factory 25. This year, that award went ...
- 4/23/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Now more than ever, we’re seeing more minorities in fields that were once inaccessible – save for a select few who broke barriers. With politics, sports, education and more all changing, it only seems natural that the filmmaking industry is among the mix.
With that idea in mind, the Athena Film Festival was founded in 2010 by Kathryn Kolbert and Melissa Silverstein in the hopes of seeing more female voices in filmmaking. Finding itself housed out of all-women’s Barnard College’s Athena Center for Leadership Studies, the festival has seen a variety of fearless female filmmakers showcasing their skills to the world.
Among previous participants honored at the festival included Catherine Keener and Courtney Moorehead Balaker, the respective director and writer of Little Pink House – a film in itself featuring a strong lead woman based on the true story of Susette Kelo vs. City of New London. Gloria Steinem and...
With that idea in mind, the Athena Film Festival was founded in 2010 by Kathryn Kolbert and Melissa Silverstein in the hopes of seeing more female voices in filmmaking. Finding itself housed out of all-women’s Barnard College’s Athena Center for Leadership Studies, the festival has seen a variety of fearless female filmmakers showcasing their skills to the world.
Among previous participants honored at the festival included Catherine Keener and Courtney Moorehead Balaker, the respective director and writer of Little Pink House – a film in itself featuring a strong lead woman based on the true story of Susette Kelo vs. City of New London. Gloria Steinem and...
- 2/20/2018
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Casey Affleck Photo: Bex Walton
He's been the subject of controversy for over a year, and now Casey Affleck has officially withdrawn from March's Oscar ceremony. "We appreciate the decision to keep the focus on the show and on the great work of this year," said the Academy.
The star, who won the Best Actor award last year for Manchester By The Sea, had been expected to present this year's Best Actress award in accordance with Oscar tradition.
Affleck has been on the receiving end of two sexual harassment lawsuits filed by women he worked with on I'm Still Here in 2010. Both lawsuits were settled out of court and as part of the settlement the star is not allowed to talk about them, but he has denied the charges.
Melissa Silverstein of Women and Hollywood, which works to promote equality in the industry, welcomed today's announcement....
He's been the subject of controversy for over a year, and now Casey Affleck has officially withdrawn from March's Oscar ceremony. "We appreciate the decision to keep the focus on the show and on the great work of this year," said the Academy.
The star, who won the Best Actor award last year for Manchester By The Sea, had been expected to present this year's Best Actress award in accordance with Oscar tradition.
Affleck has been on the receiving end of two sexual harassment lawsuits filed by women he worked with on I'm Still Here in 2010. Both lawsuits were settled out of court and as part of the settlement the star is not allowed to talk about them, but he has denied the charges.
Melissa Silverstein of Women and Hollywood, which works to promote equality in the industry, welcomed today's announcement....
- 1/25/2018
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Hours after reports started breaking that Mark Wahlberg earned more money than Michelle Williams for the reshoots on Ridley Scott’s “All the Money in the World,” USA Today confirmed the rumors by revealing that Williams made less than $1,000 for her work on the reshoots while Wahlberg walked away with a $1.5 million payday. Those numbers mean Williams was paid less than 1% the amount that her co-star earned.
Read More:‘All the Money in the World’: How Ridley Scott Faced the Kevin Spacey Chaos and Went Into Battle Mode
“All the Money in the World” producers originally stated that the actors all agreed to be paid modestly for the reshoots. The reason Williams and Wahlberg were expected to take a pay cut was because director Ridley Scott was only filming the reshoots in order to replace accused sexual abuser Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer.
An early report from The Washington...
Read More:‘All the Money in the World’: How Ridley Scott Faced the Kevin Spacey Chaos and Went Into Battle Mode
“All the Money in the World” producers originally stated that the actors all agreed to be paid modestly for the reshoots. The reason Williams and Wahlberg were expected to take a pay cut was because director Ridley Scott was only filming the reshoots in order to replace accused sexual abuser Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer.
An early report from The Washington...
- 1/10/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Another awards announcement, another morning where women have been completely shut out of the Best Director race. The BAFTA Awards are facing backlash for nominating only male filmmakers for the fifth year in a row. The last woman to be nominated for the BAFTA Best Director prize was Kathryn Bigelow for “Zero Dark Thirty” back in 2013. This year’s BAFTA nominees are Denis Villeneuve (“Blade Runner 2049”), Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me by Your Name”), Christopher Nolan (“Dunkirk”), Guillermo del Toro (“The Shape of Water”), and Martin McDonagh (“Three Billboards”).
Read More:bafta Award Nominations Boost Homegrown Fare, from ‘Darkest Hour’ to ‘Dunkirk’
The BAFTA Awards often favor homegrown talent, as IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson noted in her analysis report, which means female-directed films such as “Wonder Woman” and “Mudbound” were always going to be a tough sell to the voting body. However, Greta Gerwig was not included in the...
Read More:bafta Award Nominations Boost Homegrown Fare, from ‘Darkest Hour’ to ‘Dunkirk’
The BAFTA Awards often favor homegrown talent, as IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson noted in her analysis report, which means female-directed films such as “Wonder Woman” and “Mudbound” were always going to be a tough sell to the voting body. However, Greta Gerwig was not included in the...
- 1/9/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
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