Cannes film festival sees launch of Women in Film India, led by Guneet Monga Kapoor

Cannes film festival sees launch of Women in Film India, led by Guneet Monga Kapoor

Women in Film India (WIF India) has officially launched at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant step towards advancing gender equity in the Indian entertainment industry. Led by Academy Award-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, WIF India joins the global Women in Film network, which comprises over 50 chapters spanning six continents. The organization's debut coincides with the unveiling of its official website, www.womeninfilmindia.org, which serves as a platform for membership registration, updates on upcoming initiatives, and access to resources.

WIF India's launch signifies a major milestone for India's creative community, building upon decades of international advocacy for greater representation of women in film, television, and media. "With WIF India, we're putting real structure behind the idea of equality - mentorship, access, and leadership pathways," stated Guneet Monga Kapoor, Founder of WIF India. "This launch is just the beginning of a long-term commitment to investing in women not just for today, but for the future of the Indian entertainment industry."

To commemorate its debut, WIF India is introducing The Women in Film India Fellowship: Cannes Producers Edition. This flagship program aims to elevate mid-career women producers by providing them with access to the Producers Network at the Marché du Film at Cannes, a prominent global forum for cinematic collaboration.
The inaugural recipients of this fellowship are:
Tillotama Shome: An acclaimed award-winning actor who is also an emerging producer, known for her roles in films like Sir and Lust Stories 2, and producer of the Bengali feature film Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox).

Rucha Pathak: A veteran studio executive and creative producer with a portfolio that includes films such as Paan Singh Tomar, Neerja, Barfi, and, most recently, Madgaon Express.

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Dimpy Agarwal: An independent producer recognized for her focus on socially conscious storytelling and co-producer of Baksho Bondi, with credits on award-winning films like Chashma, Umeed, and Monica O My Darling.
In addition to the fellowship recipients, WIF India has also awarded an Accreditation Grant to Shefali Bhushan, a noteworthy woman producer from the Marathi film industry whose film Sthal is being showcased at the Cannes Film Market.

"Our partnership with Women in Film, India marks an important step toward building a strong, interconnected community that supports women across all aspects of the screen industries," said Kirsten Schaffer, Chief Executive Officer of Women in Film. "This fellowship is a key part of the solution to ensuring that women have equal opportunity to create high-quality film and television."

Each of these producers brings a unique perspective and a substantial body of work to Cannes, representing the diversity and ambition of India's evolving film landscape. The fellowship program offers them valuable insights into international co-production and financing, along with opportunities for mentorship and global networking. The program also encourages participants to share their experiences and learnings with the broader WIF India community, extending the program's impact beyond the festival.

WIF India is guided by a distinguished Board of Directors, comprising influential figures from various sectors of India's film and media ecosystem. The board includes Siddharth Roy Kapur, Karan Johar, Faye D'Souza, Anupama Chopra, Tahira Kashyap, Gauri Shinde, Nikhil Advani, Jyoti Deshpande, Gayatri Yadav, Aparna Purohit, Varun Grover, Kanika Dhillon, Vani Tripathi, Miriam Joseph, Ekta Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, and Guneet Monga Kapoor. Together, they are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive future for Indian women in entertainment, from grassroots creators to global changemakers. WIF India is now open for membership, inviting creators, professionals, and allies across the entertainment industry to join its expanding network.