Celebrating women in film on International Women’s Day
As we approach International Women’s Day 2023, we continue to celebrate women across the globe, working together towards a world that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we’re rediscovering some of the most influential women in film, production, and videography.
Alice Guy-Blaché, first female film director
One of the most prominent female figures in the film industry, Alice Guy-Blaché was largely overlooked as the first-ever female film director. Overall, Guy-Blanché directed and supervised over 1,000 films, her first being “La Fée aux Choux”, (“The Cabbage Fairy”).
Considered to be the first person to use film to tell a narrative story, Guy-Blaché’s influence in the industry has been largely forgotten (and disregarded), due in part, to the challenges of being a woman in the early 1900’s. However, efforts in recent years have given Guy-Blanché the recognition she deserves, with the Fort Lee Institution gifting her a new gravestone including the title of the first female director.
Oliya Fedun, Ukrainian independent journalist
Oliya has been a Newsflare member since 2018, and over the years has produced and shared incredible and inspiring videos. Based in New York, Ukrainian-born Oliya works as an independent journalist, and in 2022 as tensions between Russia and Ukraine were rapidly increasing, Oliya made her way back to her home country.
As the war began, Oliya committed to interviewing soldiers fighting on the frontlines and the citizens impacted. In March 2022, as attacks in Kyiv intensified, Oliya fled to the Hungry border. Now based back in New York, she continues to upload hard hitting content. We at Newsflare are extremely grateful for Oliya’s bravery and dedication to reporting and capturing the moments behind the war in Ukraine.
Nora Ephron, American journalist
Journalist, writer, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director, and essayist.. Nora Ephron’s career has reached many industries, and her influence even further. While the name may not be familiar to you, you’ll have certainly watched her films (When Harry Met Sally, Julie & Julia, and Sleepless In Seattle, are just a few).
At the height of her career, Ephron was one of only a handful of women that were prominent in Hollywood, with screenwriting being a notoriously tricky sector for women to find success in. Ephron has been a trailblazer for so many women, who influenced and aided the success of many female names today.
Aparna Purohit, Head of Amazon Originals India
Starting out as a radio DJ on a show about cinema, Purohit’s goal was to rise in the entertainment industry and earn enough money to move to Mumbai. When the chance came, she spent five years as a creative producer at Mumbai Mantra Media, and in 2016 joined Amazon Prime India, stepping into her role as Head of India Originals.
After the challenges the Indian entertainment industry faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Purohit led the company into the development of new stories, and the writer’s use of languages, resulting in over 40 new series and movies in a range of different Indian languages being announced in 2022 . Purohit strongly believes in challenging the norms that women face in day to day life, from low wages to gender bias. Asserting yourself and believing in yourself are elements which she encourages in women starting out in their careers.
Ava Duvernay, American filmmaker
Ava Duvernay, an American filmmaker, has made history in her roles as a producer, and director. Her milestones and achievements include: being the first African American woman to win Best Director at the Sundance Festival, and to be nominated for a Best Director Golden Globe.
Her breakthrough moment was the direction of the film Selma, which followed the life of Martin Luther King Jr., and ended up winning an Oscar for Best Original Song. She also founded ARRAY, an independent distribution company launched in 2011, which focuses on an array of industries including film, theatre, distribution, and animation. Duvernay’s focus on increasing opportunities for women and people of colour in the film industry has been, and continues to be, groundbreaking.
Minyoung Kim, VP of content for Asia Pacific at Netflix
Kim joined Netflix in 2016 after roles at Twitter, NBC Universal and Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM. Her arrival at Netflix marked the first time the company had hired a content executive in Asia, and since joining, her impact on the success of Korean content on the platform has been trailblazing.
Kim notes that one of her biggest achievements at Netflix was the global phenomenon of Squid Game, which took home Asia’s very first Emmy in 2022. Her role certainly hasn’t come without its difficulties, but, as Kim has said herself, the failures and challenges tackled, are what make you you.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Pakistani-Canadian journalist
Pakistani-Canadian journalist, filmmaker, and activist, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a woman who has had a significant impact on the world of video, with her work focusing on spotlighting human rights issues and gender inequality, including Saving Face, a documentary on those affected by ongoing acid attacks and violence in south-east Asia.
Obaid-Chinoy is also the first female to have won two Oscars by the age of 37, one of which was for Saving Face in 2012. She continues to use her platform and successes to tell other’s stories.
