Friday, March 18, 2016

2nd Women in Motion - #Cannes2016


As I really enjoyed the program last year decided to share the official announcement for the second edition of this program that gives awards but also has the most interesting Talks.

Know that many have openly pressed the festival to have more female directors in the Official Selection, as well as in the parallel sections; as I have stated before, I believe gender should have very little to do with the quality of films in Cannes and any other festival. But also believe that female filmmakers should have more industry support and the first and foremost support should be allowing them to do their films.

I believe the Women in Motion program can and should promote the acknowledgement of female filmmakers and most relevant, support them to be able to convert projects into quality films that could travel the festival circuit and find audiences.  For now program has done the first and perhaps now with the second edition is ready to do the second.

Here is the official press release from Kering, the developer, sponsor and official partner of the Festival de Cannes.

∞ Officially launched at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival in 2015, the program, developed jointly by Kering and the Festival de Cannes, will once again take place in Cannes from 11 to 22 May 2016.

∞ ‘Women in Motion’ aims to support women involved in cinema, highlight their contribution and encourage greater awareness of the need for diversity in the film industry.

∞ In 2015, the Women in Motion Talks welcomed numerous film industry professionals who discussed the place of women in cinema and their contribution to it. The ‘Women in Motion’ Awards were given to Jane Fonda and to independent producer, Megan Ellison.

∞ The 2016 Talks will provide an opportunity to enrich last year’s debate around the place of women in cinema with the perspectives of speakers from other fields. The second edition will also be marked by the presentation of the ‘Women in Motion’ Awards on 15 May, designed to celebrate and encourage talented women in cinema.

In keeping with the first edition, the 2016 edition will be comprised of its two founding pillars: the ‘Women in Motion’ Talks and the ‘Women in Motion’ Awards. Taking place as morning sessions throughout the entire competition, this year’s ‘Women in Motion’ Talks will welcome guests from outside the film industry to enrich the discussions about the place and contribution of women in cinema and underline solutions which would make the industry more representative.

During the first edition of the ‘Women in Motion’ Talks held in 2015, a number of high - profile men and women eagerly joined the debate. Isabella Rossellini, Claire Denis, Salma Hayek Pinault, Matthias Schoenaerts, Melvil Poupaud, Isabelle Huppert, Sylvie Pialat, Agnès Varda, Thierry Frémaux, Frances McDormand and Deniz Gamze Ergüven all expressed their views on women and cinema during a series of interviews open to journalists and industry professionals.

In addition to the talks, for the 69th Cannes International Film Festival, the awards will be presented on 15 May 2016, during the ‘Presidential Dinner’ organized by Kering and the Festival de Cannes and hosted by François-Henri Pinault, Pierre Lescure and Thierry Frémaux. The first award will be presented to a laureate who has made an exemplary contribution to both the film industry and women’s causes. The first award winner will then be offered the chance to choose the recipient(s) of the second award, intended to support up-and-coming talents in the film industry, from a shortlist of individuals compiled throughout 2015. The second award will be accompanied by financial support for an ongoing film project.

In 2015, two honorary awards were attributed; the first to actress, producer and committed philanthropist Jane Fonda, who also holds two Oscars for best actress; and the second to independent producer Megan Ellison to celebrate the launch of the ‘Women in Motion’ program. Both women are emblematic of their cinematic generations.

François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, commented: "I am proud that ‘Women in Motion’ has once again been given the chance to feature in the programme of such a major event as the Festival de Cannes this year. In 2015, ‘Women in Motion’ proved to be a powerful platform for supporting women in cinema. With ‘Women in Motion’ –and even more so this year, given the real support we are providing to several female directors– we are taking another step towards real awareness and tangible changes, promoting a film industry that is more representative of the richness and diversity of our societies".

Pierre Lescure, President of the Cannes International Film Festival, stated: “I am once again delighted to be able to offer a program as rich and ambitious as ‘Women in Motion’ to guests and the entire film industry at the 69th Festival de Cannes. In 2016, ‘Women in Motion’ is expanding, in line with the debate about the place of women in cinema and the need for greater diversity within the profession. We are pleased to be able to contribute to reflections on this important theme, and to give concrete support to up-and-coming cinematic talents in the process.”

Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Cannes International Film Festival, added: “The
‘Women in Motion’ program has really found its place at Cannes. I am delighted that the second edition is being held in 2016. We are extremely proud of the success of the first edition, both in terms of the quality of its discussions and speakers, and for the positive reception it was given by the press and industry professionals. The place, role, contribution and voices of women in cinema are undoubtedly issues that concern the entire profession and which will help the industry to evolve towards ever greater degrees of openness and diversity.”

No comments yet