Kering, the high-end French luxury goods holding company, will once again present the “Women in Motion” Program at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
The program launched at last year’s festival, and “aims to support women involved in cinema, highlight their contribution and encourage greater awareness of the need for diversity in the film industry.”
The “Women in Motion” Talks will provide an opportunity to elaborate on last year’s conversations concerning women in cinema with the perspectives of speakers from other fields. In addition to the Talks, the second edition will also include the presentation of the “Women in Motion” Awards, designed to celebrate and encourage talented women in cinema.
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.
At the 2015 festival, Isabella Rossellini, Claire Denis, Salma Hayek, Isabelle Huppert, Sylvie Pialat, Agnès Varda, Frances McDormand and Deniz Gamze Ergüven all expressed their views on women and cinema during the series of panel talks and interviews. Two honorary awards were presented; one to actress, producer and philanthropist Jane Fonda, and the second to independent producer Megan Ellison.
Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Cannes International Film Festival, said “The ‘Women in Motion’ program has really found its place at Cannes…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.”
Pierre Lescure, President of the Cannes International Film Festival, commented, “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.”
Let’s hope that sentiment is expressed when the lineup for the films in competition at Cannes are announced. Female filmmakers have historically been severely underrepresented at the fest. Perhaps the continuation of this program will encourage the selection committee to take the hint and strive for gender equality in their programming.
[via Press Materials]
