Guneet Monga Kapoor, an Academy Award winner from India, is set to lead the India chapter of Women in Films, a global network dedicated to uplifting stories by women, nonbinary, and trans people in the film industry. The announcement was made at a special event during the Cannes Film Festival hosted by Paris Film Region. The new initiative, Women In Films: India, aims to advance gender equity in the Indian screen industries by providing opportunities for women and forming an advisory council of industry leaders to support programming, research, mentorship, and creative labs for women filmmakers.
Monga expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to lead Women in Films: India in championing gender equity in the industry. She highlighted the importance of gender balance in the film industry and the significant representation of Indian films at the Cannes Film Festival, particularly those by or about women. Monga shared her experiences of facing challenges and barriers in a male-dominated industry over the course of two decades, emphasizing the need to lower systemic barriers for women to access opportunities in the industry. She aims to offer mentorship, networking, fellowships, workshops, and an industry helpline to support women seeking careers in the screen industries.
The Women in Films CEO, Kirsten Schaffer, expressed enthusiasm for the India chapter of the organization, emphasizing the value of collaborating with Guneet in advancing gender equity in the global film market. Women In Film, founded in 1973 in Los Angeles, aims to dismantle gender bias in the screen industries and offers membership to all industry professionals. At the Bharat Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj released the poster of Indian filmmaker Mustajabuddin Malik’s latest feature film, God Must Die. Amritraj also participated in a Fireside Chat with author Dr. Bhuvan Lall, alongside the unveiling of posters for the International Film Festival of India and the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit.
The Bharat Pavilion at Cannes Film Festival 2024 also featured the attendance of filmmakers, singers, and actors, including Ashok Amritraj, Richie Mehta, Shaan, and Rajpal Yadav. The pavilion showcased the diversity and talent of the Indian film industry, with the unveiling of posters for prestigious film festivals and events. The event served as a platform for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the achievements and potential of Indian cinema on the global stage. Overall, the India chapter of Women In Films, led by Guneet Monga Kapoor, is poised to make a significant impact in advancing gender equity and empowering women in the Indian screen industries through mentorship, networking, and access to opportunities.
