Girls On Film

Is the film industry still a man’s world, or are women now leading the way? How will AI affect films? These are just some of the questions addressed by a panel of four leading women working in film, who joined Anna Smith at this year’s Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF). They also talked about the creative and business side of the industry, and their work-life balance. The 12th edition of EMIFF was produced with her usual flair and creativity by festival director Sandra Seeling, who invited Girls On Film back for another panel featuring four high profile panellists, to join Anna Smith on stage at the Sala Rivoli in Palma on 21 October 2023. In this recording of that event, listen to our guests talk about how they got started in the industry, the importance of mentorship, and how to lead well. Anna is joined, first off, by Nurhan Sekerci-Porst, Germany-based producer of films including In The Fade and Rheingold. From the USA, she welcomes Nicol Paone, the writer, director and producer whose film The Kill Room, which stars Uma Thurman and Samuel L Jackson, played at the festival. She is joined by her fiancé Nicole Weis, Head Of Theatrical Distribution at IFC Films. And finally she is joined by Rosie Fellner, actress, producer and owner of Rosebud Productions. This international panel gave some riveting insight into working in the industry. The conversation takes some surprising turns and is inspiring and funny. Films mentioned in this episode: In The Fade, dir Fatih Akin, prod Nurhan Şekerci Porst Rheingold, Fatih Akin, prod Nurhan Şekerci Porst Friendsgiving, dir Nicol Paone The Kill Room, dir Nicol Paone Everything Everywhere All At Once, dir Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert The Disappearance of Shere Hite, dir Nicole Newnham The Uninvited, Dir Nadia Conners F For Fake, dir Orson Welles Ladybird, dir Greta Barbie, dir Greta Gerwig Past Lives, dir Celine Song TV series mentioned in this episode: Funny Or Die Plays mentioned in this episode: Hamlet, William Shakespeare Find out more about Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival here: https://www.evolutionfilmfestival.com/ Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio Editing: Nic Wassell Intern: Charlotte Matheson This episode is in partnership with Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival.

With us this episode are filmmaker Janis Pugh & actor, director & writer Tilda Cobham-Hervey - just two of the brilliant women showcased at the Edinburgh Festivals 2023. Anna Smith also gives top tips of other female-led highlights of the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival, and - of course - Edinburgh International Film Festival. Our first guest is Janis Pugh, writer/director of Chuck Chuck Baby which will receive its World Premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival on 20th August. The feature is a musical comedy drama that celebrates female working class friendship and love in Wales. Helen, played by Louise Brealey (Sherlock, Smack the Pony) is stuck packing chickens by night and by day cares for a dying mother figure. Her life takes an unexpected turn with the return of Joanne, played by Annabel Scholey (Being Human, Walking on Sunshine). Janis Pugh joins Anna for a lively chat about her personal experiences of working in a chicken factory in Wales, and talks about the camaraderie she saw that inspired the film. She also explains why love is at the heart of the film, and talks about the fragile male character of Gary, played by Celyn Jones. We also chat with actor, director & writer Tilda Cobham-Hervey who, as well as working in film and TV, also works in live art and is bringing her intimate audio adventure Two Strangers Walk Into A Bar… to the Fringe. Tilda chats about her journey to making the production, and her love of immersive live experience, as well as the effects that the piece has on the two-strong audience. Anna Smith will be sharing her reaction to the piece as she updates live from the festivals, so stay tuned on the socials below. Find out more about Edinburgh Festivals and book tickets at www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/ Chuck Chuck Baby will have its World Premiere on 20th August, follow Girls On Film for info on its wider release https://www.eif.co.uk/events/eiff-chuck-chuck-baby Two Strangers Walk Into A Bar… is playing at House of Oz from 4th to 27th August https://www.houseofoz.co.uk/2023/two-strangers Anoushka Shankar will be appearing in Edinburgh International Festival on 27th August https://www.eif.co.uk/events/anoushka-shankar Festival highlights: Edinburgh International Film Festival - details at www.eif.co.uk/edinburgh-international-film-festival Your Fat Friend, Jeanie Finlay Past Lives, Celine Song Showing Up, Kelly Reichardt Scrapper, Charlotte Regan Is There Anybody Out There?, Ella Glendinining The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Hope Dickson Leach Edinburgh International Book Festival - at www.edbookfest.co.uk What I Run Towards Will Strengthen Me, Sarah Polley Edinburgh Festival Fringe - all at https://tickets.edfringe.com/ Work in Progress, Rose Matafeo Composition, Leila Navabi Dugzi Dayz, Sabrina Ali Unforgettable Girl, Elisabeth Gunawan MEAT, Elle Dillon-Reams Other films mentioned in this episode include: House, Janis Pugh 52 Tuesdays, Sophie Hyde, 2013 Other TV mentioned in this episode include: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Glendyn Ivin, 2023 Other theatre mentioned in this episode includes: Funeral, Ontroerend Goed (tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/funeral) Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio Producer: Emma Butt Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Festivals Edinburgh

In this episode of Girls On Film, Anna Smith is joined by the writers of the brilliant comedy Joy Ride; Teresa Hsiao and Cherry Chevapravatdumrong. Joy Ride stars Ashley Park as Audrey, an American-Asian lawyer on a work trip to China. She ends up on a crazy and emotional adventure with three friends, played by Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu and Stephanie Hsu. The film is directed by Crazy Rich Asians writer Adele Lim. Teresa and Cherry speak to Anna about their dynamic writing together and creating female characters who are allowed to be raunchy and express themselves in a way not typically shown in comedy films. They also talk about Asian representation on screen, and what it’s like to write characters that relate to an underrepresented group. This interview was recorded before the actors joined the writers on strike, and is in partnership with Lionsgate. Joy Ride opens in UK cinemas on 4th August 2023. Vote for us in the Listeners' Choice Award here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio Producer: Emma Butt Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Lionsgate.

Let us transport you to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2023, where Girls On Film recorded an episode with an audience of festival goers. Host Anna Smith is joined by critics and filmmakers who are full of film recommendations, as well as thought-provoking and poignant conversation. First to join Anna are critics Wendy Ide and Marya E Gates, who speak about which films they’ve loved, and the strong array of female-focused films playing at KVIFF. They review La Chimera, starring Josh O'Connor and Isabella Rossellini. Marya talks about Georgian film Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry, and both of them discuss the ‘hot-topic’ Past Lives, that has been capturing the attention of film lovers since its debut in Sundance earlier this year. Next, Anna welcomes Myriam Sassine, producer of Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano, a Lebanese documentary that tells the story of a film crew navigating making a feature in the aftermath of the Beirut explosion in August 2020. Myriam discusses the challenges she faced whilst producing the film, as well as explaining the connections she established with the survivors in the filmmaking process. Our last guests are producer Elaheh Nobakht and director Negin Ahmadi, whose film Dream’s Gate tells the personal journey of Negin as she enters the war zone in North Syria, along with a group of young women who are determined to fight back. Elaheh, who translates for Negin, explains the importance of portraying women’s stories in her films and how this personal reflection highlights the moments of joy within the conflict. Elaheh also speaks about her experience as an independent Iranian producer. This episode is sponsored by Magnum. Films mentioned in this episode include: La Chimera Past Lives (UK release 8 September 2023) The Girls Are Alright Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry My Happy Family A Room of My Own (available to stream on Klassiki) The Mother of all Lies Slow Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano Costa Brava, Lebanon (available on Netflix) Dream’s Gate Inside the Yellow Cocoon Anatomy of a Fall In Camera Find out more about KVIFF here: www.kviff.com Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio Producer: Emma Butt Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy House band: MX Tyrants

This episode is packed full of six fantastic women, from the stars of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One to a programmer for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which Girls On Film will be attending on July 3rd 2023. Host Anna Smith’s first guest is Susanna Fogel, the co-writer of Girls On Film fave Booksmart, and now a director on the miniseries A Small Light. The series stars Bel Powley as a Dutch woman who sheltered Anne Frank's family during World War II. Susanna discusses Bel Powley’s character and how she wanted a female character who was an ‘everywoman’ and not afraid to fight for what was right, going against the canonically ‘strong woman’ trope. Next, we find out more about the film festival in the pretty Czech town of Karlovy Vary. Programmer Anna Korinek talks about the diverse range of filmmakers the festival is championing and the platform it provides to underrepresented countries. She als shares how the public can get involved by attending screenings or tuning in online to KVIFF.TV. Finally, Anna Smith chats to the four main female stars of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One: Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Vanessa Kirby and Rebecca Ferguson. They discuss the relative complexities of the female characters and ask whether action movies are making progress in terms of gender. They also talk about working with Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie, otherwise known as “McQ”. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is in UK cinemas 12th July 2023. You can stream A Small Light on Disney+. Girls On Film will be recording a LIVE episode at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival at 11am on 3rd July 2023 in partnership with MAGNUM - you can find more info at kviff.com, and listen out for our next episode! Guest Time Codes: Susanna Fogel - 1:25 Anna Korinek - 13:13 Hayley Atwell - 24:30 Pom Klementieff and Vanessa Kirby - 38:06 Rebecca Ferguson - 46:44 Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio Producer: Nic Wassell Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy Principal Partners Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer House band: MX Tyrants

Today Anna Smith talks to Director Tina Satter about her gripping debut feature, Reality. The story was originally a play directed by Satter in 2019, Is This a Room, and in this episode Anna talks to the director about the progression to cinema, both of the story and of her as a director, and what compelled her to make this her debut. Reality is based on the incredible true story of a young woman called Reality Winner, played by Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The White Lotus, Sharp Objects), who stirred up a media storm when she leaked a classified report about Russian interference in U.S. elections. The film uses transcripts of the real conversations Reality Winner had with government agents as its dialogue, creating a sense of both absolute honesty in the storytelling, as well as gripping tension. Fellow film critic Linda Marric also joins Anna to give her insight into the film, and what makes it her “favourite film of 2023”. Anna and Linda discuss how Tina Satter's directorial choices inform the audience's experience of a true story on screen, and their thoughts on Sydney Sweeney’s central performance. Reality - In UK & Irish cinemas 2nd June Other films mentioned in this episode include: The Arbor, Clio Barnard, 2010 The Assistant, Kitty Green, 2019 Television mentioned in this episode include:: Sharp Objects, Jean-Marc Vallée, 2018 Euphoria, 2019 Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio Producer: Emma Butt Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Vertigo Releasing.

Bonjour from Cannes! This week Anna Smith gives us a taste of the French Riviera live from the Festival de Cannes, catching some friends of Girls On Film out and about at the festival. Anna is joined by fellow critics Wendy Mitchell and Karen Krizanovich who give you their hot tips for films coming out of this year's Cannes, from international indies to big blockbusters. They chat about Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ground-breaking character in the newest instalment of Indiana Jones, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. They also discuss the welcome increase in female-led films in the festival this year. Malaysian director Amanda Nell Eu’s Tiger Stripes is also delved into, alongside other international films from Turkey, Argentina, Belgium, Finland, Mongolia, Italy… Anna also speaks with journalist and critic Valerie Complex, a year after her controversial Deadline article ‘Valerie Complex On Being Black At Cannes: How Microaggressions Marred My Festival Experience’. You can read the article here: https://deadline.com/2022/06/black-at-cannes-deadline-critic-valerie-complex-microaggressions-marred-her-festival-experience-1235037273/ Finally, Anna caught up with See-Saw films’ Head of TV and Film for Australia, Liz Watts, for a chat about the business of Cannes, and how it informs the year ahead for the film industry. Films mentioned in this episode include: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, James Mangold, 2023 In Flames, Zarrar Kahn, 2023 The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed, Joanna Arnow, 2023 It’s Raining in the House, Paloma Sermon-Dai, 2022 If Only I Could Hibernate (Baavgai Bolohson), Zoljargal Purevdash, 2023 Tiger Stripes, Amanda Nell Eu, 2023 The Return or Homecoming (Le retour), Catherine Corsini, 2023 The Delinquents (Los delincuentes), Rodrigo Moreno, 2023 Nine Queens, Fabián Bielinsky, 2000 The Aura (El aura), Fabián Bielinsky, 2005 How to Have Sex, Molly Manning Walker, 2023 About Dry Grasses, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, 2023 The Old Oak, Ken Loach, 2023 La Chimera, Alice Rohrwacher, 2023 The Piano, Jane Campion, 1993 Titane, Julia Ducournau, 2021 Rosalie, Stéphanie Di Giusto, 2023 Fallen Leaves (Kuolleet Lehdet), Aki Kaurismäki, 2023 The Royal Hotel, Kitty Green, 2023 The New Boy, Warwick Thornton, 2023 Club Zero, Jessica Hausner, 2023 Television mentioned in this episode include: Succession, 2018–2023 Also mentioned in this episode: BFI partners with Diversity in Cannes to celebrate Black women filmmakers during the Cannes Film Festival: https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/bfi-diversity-cannes-black-women-filmmakers The Palm Dog Awards: https://www.palmdog.com/ Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio Producer: Benjamin Cook Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy Principal Partners: Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer House band: MX Tyrants Thank you also to our Patreon Supporters and to Campari Lounge.

Some listeners may be activated by this episode, which contains some references to sexual assault. This episode of Girls On Film is a special on the powerful documentary feature, Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power, by director Nina Menkes. This film taps into so many important subjects relating to film and feminism. It has the power to open eyes, and change the way we think and shoot films. Anna Smith talked to Nina Menkes at a special preview screening held on 9 May 2023 by Girls On Film in association with BFI Distribution. Nina talks about the way in which the all-pervasive male gaze in filmmaking. Most films depict the man as an active subject, and the woman as a passive, fragmented object. She describes how this works, and the effect it has on our wider culture and on the behaviours of women and men. She also explains why queer cinema may be able to challenge this cinematic vocabulary more than others, and she talks about the responses she has had to the film, from audiences and film critics alike. Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power is in UK cinemas now. The BFI has scheduled a special season of Nina Menkes’ films, entitled CINEMATIC SORCERESS: THE FILMS OF NINA MENKES. It’s at the BFI Southbank from 6 to 31 May 2023 Other films discussed: Blade Runner The Cabbage Fairy Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Metropolis Portrait of a Lady On Fire Vagabond Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Brought to you by Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio editor: Benjamin Cook Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy Principal Partners Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer.

Rachel Weisz joins Girls On Film to talk about playing twin sisters in the new Prime Video series Dead Ringers, along with writer Alice Birch. Both women executive produced the series and tell host Anna Smith about the collaboration that brought the show to the screen. Rachel tells how her love of the 1988 film inspired the idea of a gender flip of the central two characters, and explains the intricacies of playing twins. She and Alice discuss establishing the show’s unique tone, and share behind-the-scenes stories. The pair then take questions from the audience, who are members of Women in Film and TV (UK). Find out more about Women in Film and TV (UK) here: https://www.wftv.org.uk/ Watch Dead Ringers on Prime Video now Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA Production Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio editor: Cam Griffiths Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy Principal Partners Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer House band: MX Tyrants

Oscar-nominated actress Emily Watson joins Anna Smith to talk about her new film, God’s Creatures. First up, Wendy Lloyd and Holly Tarquini tell us about their new podcasts. Wendy’s Open To Criticism talks about representation in film criticism; while Holly’s The F-Rated Podcast features discussions with remarkable women in film. They speak about the reasons they launched podcasts, and both give their recommendations for films you can watch now. Emily Watson then makes her Girls On Film debut to talk about the challenging drama God’s Creatures, and the way it looks at gender and patriarchal society. She discusses the joys of working with two female directors, and her co-star Paul Mescal. She and Anna also look back on some of the highlights of her long and varied career so far, and talk about the industry as a whole. This segment contains discussion of sexual assault. God’s Creatures is in UK cinemas now. Other films and TV discussed: Rye Lane Blue Jean A Good Person Loving Highsmith Champions God’s Creatures Punch-drunk Love A Royal Night Out The Third Day Apple Tree Yard Chernobyl Breaking The Waves Hilary and Jackie Normal People The Fits Dune You can also hear Anna Smith on the latest episode of Open To Criticism. Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Brought to you by Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio editor: Benjamin Cook Assistant Producer: Eleanor Hardy Principal Partners Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer House band: MX Tyrants