Saturday, May 09, 2015

2015 Cannes Women in Motion


Been busy with all about the movies in Cannes 2015 and as of today, with all the info that finally is up at the official site. But what is truly unforgivable is me forgetting to share important news about women contribution to cinema. Sigh. Have no excuse but here I'm sharing available info.

As part of the 68th Festival de Cannes, Kering and the festival have launched the first edition of the Women in Motion program to celebrate the talent of women in cinema and encourage reflection on their contribution to and role in the film industry.

François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of the Kering Group (and Salma Hayek husband), said: “I am very enthusiastic about the idea of Kering supporting women in the film industry at Cannes. The artistic sensibility of women and the specific nature of female narration are an integral part of the richness of cinema. The ‘Women in Motion’ program does not just aim at highlighting the talent of women in cinema, but also emphasizes the interest of their work for audiences. Enhancing their visibility is essential when we consider the impact that films have on our ways of thinking and, ultimately, our everyday behavior. It is precisely in this spirit of open-mindedness and cultural enrichment that we have created the ‘Women in Motion’ program.”

Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Cannes International Film Festival, stated: “Women’s contribution to the film industry, be it on screen or behind the camera, is essential and invaluable. By putting this topic on the agenda, we hope to work towards greater recognition of their work and input to cinema. As an integral part of the official Festival de Cannes program, Women in Motion will give additional prominence to the talented women of film and their outlook on cinema. The Women in Motion Talks, for which I am delighted to be one of the first participants, will also provide the profession with a unique opportunity to further discussions about the necessary advancement of the representation of women and their stories within the film industry."

In order to secure greater recognition of the role of women and their works in cinema year after year at Cannes the program will also include, as of 2016, the Women in Motion Awards. To celebrate the creation of the new awards, an exceptional Special Award will be presented during the Presidential Dinner on May 17 hosted by Pierre Lescure, President of the festival, Thierry Frémaux and François-Henri Pinault.

So, next year two awards will be given. The first one to a selected female filmmaker and the second to a young female filmmaker. We will learn more next year when the award becomes a reality. But today were announced some of the participants during the 2015 program.

Women in Motion Talks

Will debut on May 14 and will form central focus of the Women in Motion initiative. The Inaugural Talk will be a conversation with Isabella Rossellini and Claudie Ossard to discuss the subject of female representation in the film industry and sexism in cinema, both on screen and behind the scenes.

The 2015 Women in Motion Talks will close with a conversation with Agnès Varda, who by-the-way today was also announced will be the recipient of an Honorary Palm d'Or.

The program will also have the participation of Isabelle Huppert, Sylvie Pialat, Salma Hayek-Pinault, Claire Denis, Rebecca Zlotowski and Thierry Frémaux.

Maybe is not my imagination, maybe is fact but have you noticed that 2015 Cannes is FULL of women? Women filmmakers, women juries, women talks, Honorary Palm d'Or to woman filmmaker ... seems like if in one year they are trying to fix what they haven't done in almost 70 years. Well, it is about time but let's hope that from almost zero they don't go toward saturation with a too high percentage of female presence as believe will not help the cause at all.

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