Leading entertainment journal Variety partnered with UN Women's HeForShe campaign during the weekend to host a landmark event on the subject of gender equality within the film industry.
Taking place on Saturday 16 May, speakers included Academy Award-nominated actress and producer Salma Hayek (FRIDA), Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (BRIDE & PREJUDICE), and actress Parker Posey (IRRATIONAL MAN).
Taking place at the Radisson Blu, the actresses were joined by award-winning film-makers Christine Vachon and Elizabeth Karlsen, producers of the much-anticipated film CAROL, which will make its world premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The discussion was moderated by Variety’s Co-Editor-In-Chief, Claudia Eller and UN Women’s Elizabeth Nyamayaro.
Variety Publisher, Michelle Sobrino commented: “The issue of gender equality within our industry has rarely been in greater need of frank and open discussion. We’re proud to partner with UN Women and to welcome some of the industry’s leading creative voices to impart their experiences and insights on this imperative issue.”
“Following the launch of last year’s Emma Watson-fronted HeForShe campaign, the empowerment of women within the film space has been under a greater spotlight than ever before," emphasized Ms. Nyamayaro, Senior Advisor to UN Women’s Executive Director. “Our partnership with Variety in this initiative keeps the momentum rolling, and offers a platform for some of cinema’s leading female film-makers and performers to have their say at the industry’s most prestigious festival.”
