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Cannes Festival: L’Oréal Paris Honors a Promising Female Short Film Director with its Second Annual Lights on Women Award
Empowering women to positively impact the future of the film industry
On the occasion of the 75th Festival de Cannes, L’Oréal Paris will honor one promising female short film director in the second annual edition of the brand’s signature Lights on Women Award program. The winner will be chosen from the Short Films Competition and La Cinef's selection at Cannes. The Award will be presented by Academy Award-winner, L’Oréal Paris spokesperson and Juror, Kate Winslet, at the Jeune Cinéma dinner in Cannes on May 27.
Lights On Women Award: A special award for female short film directors
As Official Makeup Artist to the Cannes International Film Festival for 25 years, L’Oréal Paris has always been a feminist brand that champions women’s empowerment, specifically in the world of film, through its close relationships with iconic actresses who embody the brand’s values.
Short films, with their flexible format and relatively low barriers to entry, have long been considered to reflect the future of the film industry. Further amplifying L’Oréal Paris’ message of self-esteem and empowerment, the Lights on Women Award, in partnership with the Festival de Cannes, encourages promising female short film directors to pursue their creative ambitions and provides funding to empower them to overcome obstacles. Reaffirming the brand’s long-standing commitment to supporting women who make cinema, this unique award offers the winner up to €20,000 in financial assistance to drive their creativity and empowerment.
“Twenty-five years at Cannes is an incredible milestone. Throughout this historic partnership, we have always aimed to bring our brand’s beauty expertise to the forefront of the festival, while also honoring the finest cinematic talent from around the world. This year’s Lights on Women Award will continue to break down barriers and encourage talented female filmmakers to achieve their dreams. As we look ahead to the next 25 years, my hope for the future is that this kind of award won’t even be necessary, as women who make cinema continue to take their rightful place in the industry.”
Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Global Brand President, L’Oréal Paris
Reshaping the film industry through recognition and visibility
The global film industry has historically underrepresented women, both in front of and behind the camera, with only 17% of women in directorial positions on top-grossing films, and just 25% working in key behind-the-scenes roles. A mere seven women have been nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards. These numbers underline the striking and urgent need to reduce bias and achieve a better gender balance.
Flashback to the 2021 inaugural award
German director Aleksandra Odić was the inaugural winner of the Lights On Women Award. She took the top honor from among the 11 selected short films for her 22-minute film, Frida, which depicts an encounter between a young nurse and her patient. In recognition of her accomplishment, she received financial support from L’Oréal Paris. She said: “To win the Lights on Women Award is a great honor. It’s a great support for me and for all female filmmakers. It was not so easy for us to make this step into the film industry during last centuries. Now, the times change and we get more and more opportunities. And this award is one of those very important opportunities.”
“The Lights On Women Award plays a vital role in bestowing much needed praise on today’s female creators––women who are much too often passed over for their male counterparts in this industry. The sheer beauty and force of last year’s inaugural film moved me to tears, and I am honored to play a part in continuing this important program, which offers a pathway for women in film to propel their careers forward.”
Kate Winslet