GiF - FEMME FLICKS 2024
"Whilst it’s great that we’re all talking about the changes we’d like to see, we do need funding to truly provide access."
FEMME FLICKS
Becs Rainey
Hannah Cope &
Girl's in Film
March 15, 2024
‘Femme Flicks’ is a celebration of cinema crafted by emerging female filmmakers. From gripping dramas to heart-warming comedies, the evening will showcase the works of five directors & their female led teams, each offering a unique perspective on the experience of modern womanhood.
Femme Flicks films: BETTER by Zoe Hunter Gordon, The Girls’ Room by Tracey Lopes, Does Your Condom Make you Fat by Sophie King & written by Danielle Papamichael, Fifty Four Days by Cat White, and Period Drama by Evie Fehilly as part of Girls in Film & Kusini Productions FEMME FLICKS at Genesis Cinema Friday 15th March, 2024.
Hi Hannah & Becs, only a few days to go until Femme Flicks at Genesis Cinema, I have to ask any nerves ahead of the screenings?
No nerves from our side! We love to host film screenings and GiF events are always filled with so much love. If anything we’re super excited to see people come together and enjoy the works of the female directors.
How did Girls in Film come about, and how did your initiatives Dr Martens Film Fund, Vans Film School and Girls in Film Festival come about?
Girls in Film was set up by Nikola Vasakova and aims to represent, champion and connect female, non-binary and trans creatives in the film industry. GiF was born from the need for discussion around equality and representation in film.
The brand collaborations mentioned above were born through a relationship with agency Platform 13 who connect brands who want to make change, with organisations like us to instigate change!
Since GiF was created in 2016 what have been some of the biggest changes you’ve seen for women in film, have the opportunities for young female filmmakers increased?
There definitely has been some progress for women in film, but it’s hard when that change is pushed by grassroots, volunteer-run organisations like us and national institutions, both of whom are suffering from the Conservative government’s decimation of arts funding over the last decade and a half. Whilst it’s great that we’re all talking about the changes we’d like to see, we do need funding to truly provide access.
Women still face gender inequality and sexism within the film industry. Not only can this be seen with the narratives and representations still chosen to be displayed in front of the camera, but also behind the camera too. Have a look at best director nominations across film festivals.
This is why organisations like Girls in Film who advocate for diversity are so vital for the industry, with focus on supporting female, trans and non-binary creatives at the start of their careers, we hope to see more organisations and institutions globally pick up the baton and support female, trans and nb filmmakers throughout their growing careers.
Where did the inspiration come from to launch Femme Flicks?
Femme Flicks was inspired by International Women’s Day, however we host multiple monthly screenings showcasing the work of f/t/nb filmmakers so this isn’t new territory for us! We are very excited to be working with new partners F5, Kusini and Dolphgran.
Not only did we want to screen these amazing five films, but we wanted to create an evening to bring our community together to honour the achievements of women in the industry. Additionally, it was important for GiF to offer an opportunity for networking with other creatives and to connect female, trans and non-binary individuals in film.
What was the first film directed or solely produced by a woman that you recall watching?
Hannah: My first ever female directed film must either be Bend It Like Beckham, Directed by Gurinder Chadha, or Clueless, Directed by Amy Heckerling - iconic films if you ask me.
Becs: The original Little Women, 1994, directed by Gillian Armstrong - Winona Ryder as Jo!
Femme Flicks is produced in collaboration with Kusini Productions founder Cat White as well as Dolphragon and F5 Film - how did this partnership come about, and what has the process been like for you all bringing Femme Flicks to Genesis?
Girls in Film supported F5 & Dolphgragon film ‘Does Your Condom Make You Fat’ (screening at Femme Flicks, of course) through our PanaGiF scheme last year, so we were delighted to collaborate on an IWD screening at one of our regular partner cinemas Genesis. We really appreciate our partner cinemas for holding space for our community and making our role as a grassroots organisation easier!
Can you take me through the films you’ve selected, what was it about these films that connected with you both?
Our selection of films for Femme Flicks reflects a diverse range of compelling narratives surrounding the experience of womanhood. From the intimate portrayal of coming-of-age in ‘Period Drama’ to the exploration of contraception mishaps in 'Does Your Condom Make You Fat?'. Each film offers a unique perspective on themes such as sisterhood, self-discovery, and grief. Whether it's the touching story of sibling bonds in 'Better,' the nostalgic journey of teenage sisterhood in 'The Girl's Room,' or the poignant exploration of grief in 'Fifty-Four Day,' these films stood out to us for their authenticity, depth, and ability to spark important conversations about the female experience.
What more can cinemas/programmers do to offer more of a platform for female, non-binary and trans creatives within the film industry?
Whilst we work with fantastic independent partners like Genesis and Rio Cinema, we’d love to see more support from the chains - Picturehouse, Everyman, Curzon. We find these larger enterprises present a big barrier to entry - which means our events tend to happen in East London where our partners are based. We’d love to bring more GIF events to cinemas across London and the UK!
Is there any advice you would offer any female, non-binary and trans filmmakers wanting to get into the film industry?
This is undeniably a difficult time to enter our industry - we’re suffering from an endemic lack of funding from the public sector, while brand budgets are decreasing in front of our eyes. I would encourage people not to give up in a tricky job market - keep engaging with the industry even if you don’t find work immediately, through events, screenings, workshops. Keep making work with your friends and collaborators - and just keep asking for what you need! If you don’t ask, you won’t get!
Finally, what would you like your audiences to take away from Femme Flicks and the wider work GiF is doing?
We hope Femme Flicks is a night of inspiration and celebration filled with opportunities to network and connect with other like-minded individuals.
"I would encourage people not to give up in a tricky job market - keep engaging with the industry even if you don’t find work immediately, through events, screenings, workshops."