To mark the 70th anniversary of the Cannes International Film Festival, to be held from 17 to 28 May 2017, Kering, an official partner to the Festival has chosen a portrait of Isabelle Huppert for the official poster of the third annual Women in Motion programme. Her penetrating gaze dominates the photograph, which draws on the aesthetics of the silver screen in vibrant homage to the power of women in cinema.
A leading actress universally acclaimed for her filmography featuring the world’s greatest directors, Isabelle Huppert is an iconic figure in film, and in particular at the Festival de Cannes, where she was president of the Jury in 2009, and where she has been awarded the Best Actress Prize on two separate occasions. Her career, like the roles she plays, is a genuine source of inspiration for the public.
Launched in 2015,Women in Motion endeavours to focus our attention on the crucial role of women in film, and to the importance of continuing to fight for greater equality and access to opportunities for talented young women.
Throughout the Festival, a series of Talks, open to both journalists and film professionals, will enable major industry figures to compare and contrast experiences and views on women’s contribution to film, and to share their recommendations for greater representation within the sector.
The 2016 discussions, which featured Jodie Foster, Juliette Binoche, Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Chloë Sevigny, Houda Benyamina, Alice Winocour and Salma Hayek Pinault, focused on a variety of questions, including the problem of financing for films directed by women or about women, inequalities in salary and the lack of representation of women and their work onscreen.
Kering and the Festival de Cannes will also be awarding the Women in Motion Awards to two talented film industry figures at the official event dinner on Sunday, 21 May 2017. The first will go to an emblematic figure in film, whose career inspires others and embodies the programme’s values, while the Young Talents Award will be awarded to a promising rising film industry professional chosen by the first prize-winner. Worth €50,000, it will help support one or several of the winner’s film projects.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering said ‘As is still the case in far too many walks of life, women are under-represented and disadvantaged in the film world, despite their priceless contribution to everything that makes cinema what it is.
Promoting gender equalitylies at the heart of Kering’s priorities, which is why I am proud to be involved in this fight, alongside the Festival de Cannes. For three years now, Women in Motion has been a leading forum in changing mindsets, celebrating the most extraordinary figures in our industry and offering practical support to talented women.’
Pierre Lescure, President of the Festival de Cannes said ‘I am delighted to have joined forces with Kering to showcase the value of women and their role in film. This is a cause that deserves all our attention, and it is crucial to raise awareness among the many festival-goers who visit Cannes each year. Through Women in Motion, we look forward, at the 70th Festival de Cannes, to being able to continue to strive for greater female representation in the film world.’
