BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Shannon Murphy is set to be recognized by Women in Motion this year at Cannes. Dedicated to celebrating women and advancing gender equality throughout the industry, Kering’s program was launched in 2015. Murphy has been named as this year’s recipient of the Young Talent Award, which “pays tribute to a promising female film director, offering them financial support.”
Murphy’s award-winning feature directorial debut, 2019 Eliza Scanlen-starrer “Babyteeth,” tells the story of a terminally ill highschooler who falls head over heels for a drug dealer. The critically acclaimed drama landed Murphy a BAFTA Film Award nomination for Best Director.
“Killing Eve” and “On the Ropes” are among Murphy’s TV credits.
Maura Delpero received last year’s Young Talent Award. “It gave me a little more sense of peace, ‘OK I have time,’” the “Maternal” director said of winning. “I’m happy the awards exist because they make people talk about that there are minorities in cinema, and not just women.” She added, “Cinema reflects the world but also generates the world because what we see in cinema can influence society. Until now, cinema has not reflected the reaches of the world. … We have a duty to try to solve it.”
Cannes Film Festival kicked off July 6 and runs through July 17. Just 17 percent of this year’s Competition films are directed by women.
