It’s only been five weeks since the Time’s Up initiative formally launched, but it has made incredible strides. In addition to dominating the Golden Globes and shifting the cultural conversation, Variety reports that Time’s Up’s has raised $20 million for its legal defense fund and has received 1,000 requests for help. And the fight against sexual misconduct is not based solely in Hollywood: the Berlinale released a statement of support about #MeToo and will host events concerning gender equality and sexual harassment at the 2018 fest.
Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff Tina Tchen spoke about Time’s Up’s achievements at a Makers Conference panel about the initiative. Ava DuVernay moderated the discussion between Tchen, Natalie Portman, Rashida Jones, Jill Soloway, director Melina Matsoukas (“Insecure”), entertainment lawyer Nina Shaw, and CAA agent Maha Dakhil.
“One of the real, tangible ways that people need help right now is to get them lawyers … to get lawyers across the country,” Tchen said of the legal defense fund. She explained that one of Time’s Up’s priorities is ensuring lower-income women have access to the legal resources they need — if she’s being sexually harassed, a woman shouldn’t have to stay silent because she’s concerned she won’t be able to afford a lawyer.
Berlinale took a stand for victims of sexual misconduct and aligned itself with the #MeToo movement via a press statement. “The Berlinale is firmly committed to the struggle for sexual self-determination and against any and all forms of abuse,” the statement reads. As such, the festival is hoping to start a dialogue about the pervasiveness of sexism and the international harassment problem. “The Berlinale sees itself as a forum where problems can be heard and impulses can be initiated, and welcomes the various events that are intended to contribute to concrete change.”
Under the banner “NO to Discrimination!,” the 2018 fest is offering to put audience members who have experienced or witnessed sexual abuse in contact with counseling centers. Berlinale is also set to host a panel entitled “Culture Wants Change — A Conversation on Sexual Harassment in Film, Television and Theatre” and a seminar about equal pay, “Closing the Gap. A Seminar With Creatives and Financiers on How to Take Action Towards 50/50 by 2020.”
Berlinale will run February 15–25 in Berlin. A video of the Time’s Up panel at the Makers Conference is below, as are details about the Berlinale’s NO to Discrimination! events.
Panel discussion: Culture Wants Change — A Conversation on Sexual Harassment in Film, Television and Theatre
Representatives from the worlds of cinema and television will discuss what measures can be implemented to prevent sexual attacks or misconduct and improve the situation of those affected.
Monday, February 19, 2.00–5.00 pm
Location: TIPI at Kanzleramt, Große Querallee, 10557 Berlin
Language: German, with interpreters on hand for English and sign language
With Thomas Bellut (director of German television broadcaster ZDF, tbc), Michael Lehmann (Studio Hamburg Produktion Gruppe), Hans-Werner Meyer (Bundesverband Schauspiel e.V.), Barbara Rohm (ProQuote Film e.V.), Jasmin Tabatabai (actress), Karola Wille (director of Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, tbc), Natalia Wörner (actress)
Welcome speech: Dr. Katarina Barley (Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth; Interim Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs)
Hosts: initiated by Bundesverband Schauspiel (BFFS), with ProQuote Film e. V. and the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
Free admission
Closing the Gap. A Seminar With Creatives and Financiers on How to Take Action Towards 50/50 by 2020.
In the scope of this seminar, Daniela Elstner (CEO of Doc & Film International) will present the initiative “Speak Up!” and read her manifesto together with other initiators. “Speak up!” aims to encourage those affected by sexual harassment in the film industry to raise their voices. The official “Speak Up!” website will be launched during the Berlinale (www.speakupnow.eu). In addition to providing extensive information, the website will also feature counselling offers.
Saturday, February 17, at approximately 12.15 pm: Presentation “Speak Up!”
Location: Meistersaal, Köthener Straße 38 (S&U-Bahn Potsdamer Platz)
Language: English
Host: Swedish Film Institute, Women in Film and Television (WIFT) Germany, WIFT Nordic
Free admission for WIFT members. Tickets for non-members can be purchased through www.eventbrite.de.
For more information, go to Berlinale’s website.
