WIFTI at Cannes 2025: Global Highlights, New Initiatives and a Look Ahead to the 2026 Summit

Cannes 2025 Highlights: A Global Celebration of Collaboration, Education, and Empowerment

This year’s Cannes Film Festival was not only a celebration of film but also a powerful reminder of the global momentum behind equity and innovation across the screen industries. Here are just a few of the standout moments from WIFTI’s presence at Cannes 2025:

WIFTI and Stage 32 Announce Global Education Partnership

 

In a landmark announcement, Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) and Stage 32, the leading global platform for film and TV education, unveiled a groundbreaking partnership that will see Stage 32 become the official education provider for all 57 WIFT chapters and affiliates worldwide.

Unveiled during the festival and celebrated at an exclusive black-tie villa event, the partnership aims to address key skill gaps in the industry and empower women through access to over 3,000 hours of professional training—including courses led by Oscar, Emmy, and BAFTA-winning talent such as Meg LeFauve, Nick Vallelonga, David Seidler, Terence Blanchard, and many more.

The partnership will also include biannual virtual open houses, educational panels, and networking opportunities at major festivals.


As WIFTI President Dr. Susan Liddy stated, this marks “a pivotal moment for WIFTI and our global network” in building sustainable careers for women across film and television.

Read the full article via The Hollywood Reporter here

Take a look at a few photos from the exclusive celebration at Cannes below:

 

WIFTI Irish Pavilion Event – Summit 2026 Announcement

 

WFT Ireland was proud to host the WIFTI Irish Pavilion event at Cannes 2025, where we officially launched the upcoming WIFTI 2026 Summit.

Bringing together 57 WIFT chapters and affiliates from around the world, the Summit will take place in Ireland and will serve as an international celebration of cross-border collaboration, strategic career-building, and storytelling excellence.

Organised by WFT Ireland and WIFTI, the Summit will feature inspiring panels, networking sessions, interactive workshops, and cultural events showcasing Irish talent.

Register your interest and stay informed at summit2026.wifti.net

As part of the WIFTI Irish Pavilion event, we also celebrated the official launch of two new chapters, WIFT Poland and WIFT India, and welcomed a new affiliate into the WIFTI fold: Collectif 5050.

View below some snapshots from the vibrant Irish Pavilion gathering where the 2026 Summit was launched:

Picture Credit: Julie Edwards.

 

WIFT Poland Launches During Cannes 2025

 

Another exciting milestone during the festival was the official launch of Women in Film & Television Poland, the newest chapter in the WIFTI global network.

Held on May 17th, the event welcomed over 100 industry professionals to celebrate the formation of this dynamic, non-profit organisation. With support from the Polish Film Institute, Archicom Collection, and international guests including WIFTI President Dr. Susan Liddy, the launch underscored the importance of global solidarity, education, and visibility for women in film.

From boundary-pushing directors to emerging creative voices, WIFT Poland is committed to championing a future where women across all roles in the screen industries are seen, heard, and supported.

Explore more about the launch at wift.pl/cannes-2025

See a selection of photos from the official WIFT Poland launch event at Cannes 2025 below:

Launch of the First Global Network Of Women In Film And Audiovisual Media

Launch of the First Global Network Of Women In Film And Audiovisual Media

Last month at the UN Headquarters in New York, and under the auspices of UN Women at CSW68, the event Launching Of The First Global Network Of Women Of Film And Audiovisual Media marks the initiation of a collaborative platform for all stakeholders involved in the film and audiovisual sectors to accelerate gender equality and financing with a gender perspective. Co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Spain at United Nations, CIMA Asociación de Mujeres Cineastas y Medios Audiovisuales, UN Women National Committee of Spain, UN Women National Committee of Australia, and Spain Film Commission, the event set the stage for an international collaboration aimed at accelerating gender equality and integrating a gender perspective in financing within the film and audiovisual sectors. The primary focus is on fostering exchanges and sharing best practices among media and audiovisual institutions and organisations to combat gender-based inequalities.

This event builds upon the commitment made by 29 global organisations at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, France, in July 2021. The coalition pledged to work collectively toward women’s leadership, equal representation, economic justice, gender-responsive education, ending gender-based violence, and advocating for gender perspectives in international festivals. CIMA, a driving force behind this initiative, now leads the organisation of this CSW68 side event.

The event lays the groundwork for an international network, bringing together governments, institutions, private and public organisations, and civil society. This collaborative effort seeks to exchange data, promote best practices, and compile reports on global advances in achieving gender equality in film and audiovisual media.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Strengthening Women’s Leadership: Explore measures to enhance women’s leadership and equal representation in the audiovisual and media industries.
  • Economic Justice: Advocate for equal pay for equal work and increased financial support for audiovisual projects led by women.
  • Policy Advocacy: Demand measures from institutions, governments, and private companies to accelerate gender equality in the audiovisual and media industries.

 

MAJOR ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Aligned with the CSW68 Main Priority Theme, the session will address the following:

  • Measures for Women’s Leadership: Strategies to strengthen women’s leadership and equal representation in the audiovisual and media industries.
  • Economic Justice: Advocacy for equal pay and increased financial support for projects led by women.
  • Policy Advocacy: Calls for measures to accelerate gender equality and empowerment in the audiovisual and media industries.

UN Women National Committees play an essential role in supporting UN Women’s mission on a national level; advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. These independent committees serve as key advocates for women’s rights, working closely with UN Women and other stakeholders to implement policies and programs that address gender inequalities and promote women’s participation in decision-making processes. Through advocacy, fundraising, and awareness-raising activities, UN Women National Committees mobilise support for initiatives that aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. At CSW68, emphasis is placed on strengthening the collaboration between UN Women National Committees and governments, civil society, and the private sector to accelerate progress towards achieving gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals.

CIMA (Asociación de Mujeres Cineastas y de Medios Audiovisuales) is a professional association in Spain representing over 1,100 women from the audiovisual industry united by a common goal: to promote equal presence of women filmmakers and audiovisual professionals and contribute to a balanced and realistic representation of women in audiovisual content. Founded in 2006, CIMA carries out its mission through research, advocacy, and programs that support women professionals as well as activities for the general public that promote gender parity in the media, among other initiatives. CIMA has consultative status at ECOSOC and is associated with the UN Department of Global Communication.

Reflecting on the 2024 Global Forum for Women

Reflecting on the 2024 Global Forum for Women

Last month at the Berlinale, Power To Transform held the 2024 Edition of the Global Forum For Women. The conference featured panels and workshops attended by women film organisations from around the world.

Barbara Rohm, Yvonne de Andrés and the Power to Transform! Team reflect on the events and express their gratitude:

“We would like to thank you all for your participation in the Global Forum for Women’s Film Organizations @berlinale2024 at the Embassy of Canada. Your presence greatly enriched the event and we are very grateful for your commitment. Your contributions to the cause of women in the film industry are essential to promoting positive change. Post-Heroic Storytelling: Moving beyond the Male Gaze and reimagining the Female Gaze points the way forward and we are glad to have contributed.

We would also like to express our deep appreciation to our esteemed partners: sjiwff St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, Federal Foundation for Gender EqualityWIFT InternationalEWA – European Women’s Audiovisual Network, Women and HollywoodSWIFT – Sisters Working in Film and TV South Africa, Screencraft Works, and CIMA – Asociación de Mujeres Cineastas y de Medios Audiovisuales.”

The panels are now available to watch on YouTube!

The first closed panel “Heroines for Change” held at the Embassy of Canada to Germany featured 5-Minute Power Speeches from a wide-ranging group of fellow campaigners working in the field of gender equality and diversity.

Power To Transform then welcomed Anna Hints (Estonia), Minnenhle Luthuli (South Africa), Gail Maurice (Canada), and Joey Soloway (USA) in a panel discussion moderated by Manori Ravindran (UK). Exploring the topic of “Post-Heroic Storytelling: Moving beyond the Male Gaze and Reimagining the Female Gaze,” the panellists posed questions about how to move beyond the male gaze and how Post-Heroic Storytelling can shape the future of a innovative and diverse screen industry.

The conference also launched the study “Re-Framing the Picture: An International Comparative Assessment of Gender Equity Policies in the Film Sector.” The research by the Gender Equity Policy (GEP) Analysis project underscores that policies need to address systemic issues, not only target numerical representation. The research highlights that film industries do not just need more women, but women in the right positions. Re-Framing the Picture advocates for policies with strong accountability mechanisms, financial incentives, and the ability to actively drive industry change. Read more about the research here and download the report here

30% Discount on IMDb Pro for WIFT International Members

30% Discount on IMDb Pro for WIFT International Members

WIFT International is delighted to partner with the IMDb Pro Affiliate Programme. This means that all WIFT International members receive a 30% discount on IMDb Pro and their amazing tools for finding industry contacts, in-development information, industry lists, and Discover’s powerful search filters.

If you are an up-to-date member of your local or national WFT Chapter, email them to get your code and redeem this offer!

WIFT Germany Releases The White Paper: Gender-based Violence on German Television

WIFT Germany Releases The White Paper: Gender-based Violence on German Television

The media shape our perception of reality and therefore have a special responsibility. This applies all the more to such a socially urgent topic as genderbased violence.

The study “
Genderbased Violence on German Television“, initiated by the MaLisa Foundation and UFA, shows that explicit genderbased violence, often serious violence against women, is portrayed in a third of all TV formats. With this white paper, Women in Film and Television Germany (WIFT), the MaLisa Foundation and the Bundesverband Schauspiel (BFFS) would like to contribute to a conscious approach to the portrayal of violence against women in audiovisual media.

The following set of recommended questions emerged from the discussions of the think tank, “Genderbased Violence in Cinema, Streaming and Television. Our Responsibility in Storytelling and Production”, which brought together more than forty decisionmakers from the German audiovisual industry in September 2023. The questions are intended to stimulate reflection at different stages of the creative process.

The discussion participants agreed that artistic freedom and the telling of exciting and entertaining stories are central. However, a responsible and conscious approach to the staging of violence against women should also be a prerequisite. The white paper is intended as an invitation to reflect on one’s own work and creative decisions.
 
Read the full paper online here.