Celebrating female filmmakers: Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program
A night of recognition and empowerment
In the heart of New York City, a cocktail party at the Greenwich Hotel’s Tribeca penthouse brought together some of the most influential women in the film industry. Lucy Liu, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein, and Joanna Calo gathered to announce the recipient of the 2024 Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program grant.
A jury of visionaries
These five remarkable women served as the jury for this year’s program, which aims to provide industry support and artistic development to self-identifying women and non-binary filmmakers. After an intensive three-day workshop, they awarded writer-director Sophia Youssef and producer Céline Bava-Helms the grand prize for their short film, Black Shore.
The winning project: Black Shore
“We thought that Black Shore was very ambitious and world-building,” Liu shared at the event. “It was different from the other projects because it was so expansive.” The jury’s deliberation process was a blend of diverse perspectives, yet they found common ground in their vision. “These are powerful, intentional, decisive, creative women,” Liu added. “To be a part of that group was really the reason why I said yes… It’s strength in numbers and also knowing that individually, we can stand up on our own.”
Black Shore will receive full production funding and support from Tribeca Studios. The film’s description reads, “Forced to look after her ailing mother back home in Santorini, Evangelina must confront the reality that her mother’s lifelong obsession with mythological monsters and an ancient family curse might not be pure fantasy, but a terrifying warning that some fates are inherited.”
A personal inspiration
Youssef drew inspiration from her family’s struggles with genetic illnesses that led to locked-in syndrome, a rare disorder where an individual is conscious but cannot move or speak due to complete paralysis of voluntary muscles. “My family members and I spent 10 years helping three paralyzed people slowly die essentially,” Youssef explained. “I wanted to take that fear of feeling like that was gonna be my inevitable end as well — because I share genes with those people — and turn it into a story. And because I’m from Greece and my family lives there, it felt like Medusa was the perfect allegory to make a body horror about that experience.”
Honoring a legacy
Earlier in the evening, Jane Fonda, a member of the Through Her Lens advisory committee, made a special announcement about the program’s future. “Through Her Lens began in 2015 with a clear vision to inspire and empower the next generation of women storytellers. Here we are, 10 years later, still led by the spirit of [late Tribeca executive vice president] Paula Weinstein, who knew that mentorship and genuine connections are essential to build careers for women,” Fonda said. “She also knew how difficult a career path this is. These past years, throughout inflation, strikes, and major changes in our industries, the path is steeper than ever. That is why, in Paula’s honor, I’m thrilled to announce that Chanel is generously increasing the winner’s prize and the four other development funds this year.”
Celebrating all participants
In addition to Black Shore receiving full funding, the other program participants — Brace Yourself, Copy, Save, Haint, and Selah — each received a development grant. “The future of filmmaking is in this room, and we were all so honored to witness such magical artistry,” Wilde said to the filmmakers. Randolph added, “Truly, I do believe every single one of these girls will have a career. I think by even being here says a lot.”
A night to remember
The event was not just about awards and announcements; it was a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. The presence of these influential women, all dressed in Chanel, added a touch of glamour to the evening. The gathering was a testament to the strength and potential of women in the film industry, a reminder that their stories are not just worth telling but essential to the fabric of cinema.
For more information on the films and to watch their trailers, visit the following links:
This event highlighted the importance of supporting and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. It was a night that celebrated not just the winners but all participants, recognizing their potential to shape the future of cinema.