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European Commission launches the first “Women on the move” day

On 19 May, on the occasion of the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, the European Commission launched the first edition of the “Women on the Move” day. European institutions, private and public organisations and stakeholders from the audiovisual and film industries came together in order to discuss the issue of gender balance, which is one of the core values of the European Union, while remaining a key societal challenge.

Women on the move

European Commission

Collage events of "Women on the move"

Overall, the first edition of “Women on the move” was a very successful event and it was the occasion to put the spotlight on talented women.

The day kicked off with a conversation with Carla Simon, a young and rewarded Spanish female director. She shared her experience starting as a film director and highlighted that MEDIA support was key for the success of her career, including her most rewarded work 'Summer 1993'.

In the afternoon, Collectif 50/50 – an organisation bringing together more than 800 key players in the French industry of cinema and creativity committed to solidarity, gender equality and diversity – presented exclusive figures on the representation of women in the film sector, as well as their first assessment of the Gender Parity Pledge signed already by 47 festivals. Watch the recording of this session.

The European Commission, represented by Creative Europe MEDIA, presented its new publication featuring an overview of good practices on gender implemented by the audiovisual industry and policy makers in the EU. This brochure, following the leaflet including gender data of MEDIA applicants, is the first tangible result of several exchanges with stakeholders organised to achieve greater gender balance in the sector. It is a first step to design a framework for gender equality and to create the basis of future policy development. It features examples and ideas that can be replicated across Member States.

The initiative “Women on the move” was also present at the MEDIA stand in Cannes in two other occasions: on 18 May during the interview with Rebecca O’Brien, producer of Ken Loack; and on 22 May during the interview with  Delphine Thomson - producer of the Dardenne brothers.

Follow the conversation via #WomenOnTheMove