Women In Film: Los Angeles just announced the official launch of a new Women In Film chapter WIF: India during the 77th Cannes Film Festival event hosted by Paris Film Region and WIF. This is part of the global WIFTI (Women In Film & Television International) network, which aims to promote equality in Indian screen industries and will be headed by Guneet Monga Kapoor, an Academy Award winner and one of India’s pioneering producers.
Guneet Monga launches WIF: India at Cannes Film Festival – “I’ve seen it all from zero but now we have come this far.”
WIF: India seeks to bring gender parity and opportunities for women seeking careers in screen industries. To support programming and advocacy work at WIF: India, including research, mentorship and creative labs for Women Filmmakers among others, an advisory council made up of industry leaders drawn from all over India will be formed. However, though independent chapter, it will cooperate with Los Angeles-based WIF as the founding chapter of the WIFTI network.
“I’ve seen it all from zero being in rooms where men would speak on my behalf so I’m taken seriously to leading international co-productions and studio scale projects,” said Guneet Monga Kapoor. “Yet comprehensive studies like the ‘O Womaniya! The 2023 report’ still suggests a lack of gender diversities across key filmmaking departments. The study included only 12% holding head-of-department positions in 156 films surveyed.”
Moreover she says, “For half a century already, through its various programs like mentoring pipeline or general producing fellowship introduced for younger female filmmakers; throughout its fifty years’ history; that’s been how Women In Film became Hollywood’s culture changer. My goal for WIF: India is to break down systemic barriers that keep women out these jobs but also usher in a new era—through mentorship, networking, and fellowships. We also strive to create opportunities for women in the film industry through workshops and an industry helpline that will be available to them. WIF, WIF: India along with a new world of possibilities will open up doors as well.”
“With an ever-expanding global market and deeper connections between the film industries in India and the U.S., this is a natural next step in the evolution of our gender parity work,” said Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of WIF. “We realize the immense value in creating community and resources for women filmmakers in India and we’re looking forward to collaborating with Guneet in this initiative.”
WIF was founded as Women In Film Los Angeles (WIF) back in 1973 and has been fighting for gender equality for more than five decades. By building the pipeline needed within film/TV + media – such as general producing fellowship offered by many organizations; assisting members’ careers through mentorship or supporting programs like mentoring pipeline designed for younger female filmmakers – it works towards eradicating gender bias from screen industries. Any professional working in screen-based disciplines can become its member. The organization’s CEO is Kirsten Schaffer while Amy Baer chairs its board of directors
