Welcome to the WIFTI Summit 2023!
We look forward to a weekend of creative exchange, WIF LA’s 50-year anniversary celebration, and the awarding of the WIFTI Peace Prize. Check out our program below. The events on Saturday and Sunday will be live-streamed on the WIFTI Youtube Channel.
ABOUT WIFTI HELSINKI SUMMIT 2023 – FACING THE FUTURE
Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) gathers participants from six continents, 40 member associations, to share ideas, working methods and solutions for the future of an equal audiovisual industry. The event opens a view to the global landscape of women in film, television and media, giving members a chance and means to learn from and support each other.
Venue: HANAHOLMEN Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre and Hotel
Live-Stream on Saturday and Sunday on the WIFTI Youtube Channel
More regular updates to the programme will also be posted on the WIFT Finland homepage.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
FRIDAY 22nd September
no stream
16.00 – 17.30 Hotel Marski
Finnish Film Affair Closing Cocktails
for WIFTI Helsinki Summit guests by registration
17.45-18.45 Hanaholmen, meeting room Blixtlås
General Assembly for WIFTI members
19.00-21.00 Hanaholmen, restaurant
Informal Welcome Dinner
SATURDAY 23rd September
All events at Hanaholmen Cultural Center. All events from the mainhall will be live-streamed.
10.00 Opening
Welcome by Hanaholmen Cultural Center, WIFT Finland and WIFT International
SESSION 1: WIFTI WORLDWIDE
10.05 Who is who: Members’ presentation round conducted by Helene Granqvist
11.00 Gender Equality Catch-up
Professor Lisa French (Australia)
Dr Eva Flicker (Austria)
Dr Susan Liddy (Ireland)
Dr Greta Gober (Poland
Dr Tarja Savolainen (Finland)
Moderated by Dr Susan Liddy
SESSION 2: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
12.00 We Are The Change
How has the emergence of women and underrepresented minorities changed the media, the industry and art forms, and what does it mean? With director Katja Gauriloff, Skolt Sámi, Finland; director Fawzia Mirza, US/Canada, and editor Theo Lindberg, Sweden
12.45-14.30 ROUND TABLE LUNCH with topics!
online: click the headline for the topics
SESSION 3: THE FUTURE IS HERE
14.30 Planning Crucial Tracks when the Train is Running Fast
For years scientists tried to deepen the discussion about the impact of AI on our societies. Physicists urged philosophers to analyse the ethics and power structures of the upcoming paradigm shift. Then a chatbot demo went viral in late 2022, and in 2023 the discussion exploded. Today we are offered multiple horror scenarios side by side with creative and scientific new possibilities and our audio-visual industry is rightfully debating biased AI, rights issues, and artistic principles.
With Liselott Forsman, Nordic Film & TV Fond. 10+10
14.50 The Bigger Picture by WIFT Denmark
The campaign A Bigger Picture/Et Større Billede aims to improve the representation of minoritized people in Danish film and TV.
With Laura Allen Muller, WIFT Denmark
15.05 Reframe initiative by WIF LA and Sundance
ReFrame designs and leads systemic change programs in Hollywood in partnership with key industry leaders and companies. ReFrame ReSource is an online hub of culture change tools and best practices created in collaboration with 50+ diversity advocacy organizations, on topics ranging from equity in development, to production, hiring, and audience development.
With Andria Wilson Mirza
15.25 The Equality Tool for AV-industry by WIFT Finland
The digital tool helps those working in the industry to take concrete actions to improve equality and to comply with the legislation and/or do a production specific equality plan. The tool is to facilitate the planning of TV and film content, employment relations and workplace safety from an equality perspective.
With Eeva-Sofia Anttonen
15.40 Comments 5’:
Brigitte Monneau, Canada, on Woman as a specialist-tool and the Parity radar (on-line, on screen)
Domizia De Rosa, Italy, on Rules for Ethical Behavior in the Audiovisual Field Sector
Alejandra FC Zarazua, Sweden, on WIFT Tech
Session moderator and closing comments: Debra Zimmerman, Women Make Movies, NY / USA
16.15 COFFEE
SESSION 4: MAKING HISTORY
16.45 WIF Los Angeles@50
WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer will share stories of how this community was built, what change looks like now and what’s next for WIF and the movement.
17.15 – 19.30 Group meetings, sauna, naps
19.30 WIF LA @50 – CELEBRATION DINNER
Speeches and dance! Hosted by WIF LA
THE WIFTI PEACE PRIZE presented by Helene Granqvist
DJ Bätmän!
SUNDAY 24th September
SESSION 5: WOMEN IN CHARGE
Good morning with Voices from the Indigenous North
10.00 Planetal crisis recalibrating telling– how to relearn to communicate with the land – with Pauliina Feodoroff
10.10 Borderless Futures– with Anne-Lajla Utsi, Managing Director of the International Sámi Film Institute
10.20 People, Places and Power
A discussion on leadership and economic equity in the European media and entertainment context.
With filmmaker Victoria Thomas, UK, and producer Grace Maharaj, WIFT Sweden
10.40 WIFTI: In search of inclusivity – Spotlight on age.
Dr Deborah Jermyn – UK
Dr Susan Liddy – Ireland
Professor Bernadette Luciano – Italy/New Zealand
Moderator: Dr Susan Liddy
10.15 Change of Rooms
11.40 PARALLEL SESSIONS in break out rooms on:
● How to run a successful chapter – WIF LA and WFTV UK – how to support smaller chapters (guidelines, advice, shoulders)
● Gender inclusive language and chapter names – how are chapters changing their names and or descriptions of their work to be more inclusive of underrepresented genders including non-binary and transgender members? – Andria Wilson Mirza
● Benchmarking programs: mentoring, upskilling, advocacy – TBC
● Sustainability – Helene Granqvist
● Experiences on Ageism and How to overcome it – TBC
● The Imperative and the Impossibility of Managing Diversity: Lessons from an international research project on Managing Newsroom Diversity for advancing social inclusion in the media. – Greta Gabor
● Global Guilds and Peer Groups – what would they be good for? – Marjaana Mykkänen
Choose your session at the Info on location.
12.30 – 13.30 LUNCH – continuing topics of the morning
SESSION 6: THE GOOD FIGHT
13.30 Culture Wars
Right-wing governments around the world are using culture (including film, TV and media) as a means to move forward repressive agendas. As filmmakers and storytellers how do we work together to put an end to the policies and practices that are reversing decades of work toward equality?
With Domizia De Rosa, Italy, Elina Knihtilä, Finland, Norma Jean Straw, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatin, USA, Kirsten Schaffer, WIF LA
14.15 Bollywood, Nollywood, Hollywood
The three largest film and television producing regions in the world together generate over $644.2 billion dollars and capture 5.6 billion viewers. How well are each of these industries serving women and underrepresented genders? What best practices can each region share with each other and the international community?
With Guneet Monga Kapoor, India, Fawzia Mirza, US/Canada, Victoria Thomas, UK
14.45 COFFEE
SESSION 7: FACING THE FUTURE
15.15 NEXT STEPS for WIFTI
Professional global guilds and peer groups initiative
How to extend the global network of chapters to sub-networks for members without straining chapters – a proposition on constructing easy platforms to discuss professional matters in a systematic way.
With Marjaana Mykkänen, WIFT Finland
INITIATIVES AND CONCLUSIONS FROM PARALLEL SESSIONS BREAKOUT ROOMS
SESSION 8: CHANGE OF GUARDS
15.30 Helene Granqvist from Sweden ends her 5-year term with honors as Dr Susan Liddy from Ireland steps in with a warm welcome.
Helene Granqvist with Valeria Richter: Farewell speech
Dr Susan Liddy: Inauguration speech
16.00 Meet The Irish
The reception is sponsored by the Embassy of Ireland, Finland. It will be attended by Ambassador Ruth Parkin.
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WIFTI organizes the event in cooperation and by the invitation of WIFT Finland and WIFT Sweden with WIFT Finland in charge of the event production. The WIFTI Helsinki Summit 2023 is supported by Nordisk Film & TV Fond, the Finnish Film Foundation, Hanaholmen Cultural Center, the West Finland Film Commission, City of Espoo, Turku Business Region, Helsinki City, and by Audiovisual Producers of Finland, Business Finland and Aurora Studios.
Curated by Marjaana Mykkänen, in collaboration with Helene Granqvist, Susan Liddy and Kirsten Schaffer, and in co-operation with the WIFTI Knowledge, Advocacy and Activism Committee.
Produced by Marjaana Mykkänen, in collaboration with Tiinaliisa Granholm of Hanaholmen and Jutta Ahtola of WIFT Finland. Heidi Kokki, stage management, Erik Roos, sound, lights, and presentations, Fredrik Lundin, live stream and clips.
Communications and Publicity: Regina Mosch, Veera Lamminpää, Serena Serena Mmifinyana and Milli Mokkila, Social media: Päivi Kettunen, Grace Maharaj, Nina Maskulin and Johanna Wartio. Minttu Mustakallio, general hosting.
Other volunteers: Jenni Laine, reception; Satu Mikkelinen, transport; Riikka Korhonen, main stage and auditorium; Johanna Wartio, management. With Tamara Aalto, Alicia Corpas; Katariina Kap, Anne Karttunen, Tomi Rantanen, Noora Ranne, Sattva-Hanna Toiviainen.
REGISTRATION
Registration is open until September 8, 2023.
The fee includes access to the Summit, lunch, afternoon tea/coffee service and WIF LA – WIFTI Peace Price Dinner on Saturday. Travel costs and accommodation are not included. Through the form below you will also find information about hotel reservations.
WIFTI members: 100€
https://www.lyyti.in/WIFTI_2023_Members
Students: 50€
https://www.lyyti.in/WIFTI_2023_Students
Non-WIFTI members: 180€
https://www.lyyti.in/WIFTI_2023_participants
Supporting participants: 500€ (2 guests plus name in Summit publications)
https://www.lyyti.in/WIFTI_2023_SUPPORT
Hotel prices, 128€ for a single room and 148€ for a double room, include breakfast.
Info on hotel reservations in the registration form.
INVITATION LETTER
An invitation letter for VISA or funding applications is available on the link below. If you need further assistance with it, please contact wiftsummit23@wift.fi
EMBASSIES IN HELSINKI
Foreign embassies in Helsinki
https://um.fi/representation-of-foreign-states-in-finland-or-in-the-nearest-country-to-finland
TRAVEL
INTERNATIONAL
You can reach Helsinki by plane or by boat from Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia or Travemünde Germany.
The national airline Finnair has several European and continental direct flights https://www.finnair.com/en/destinations but many other airlines fly to Helsinki as well.
Helsinki Vantaa Airport is located 18 kilometers from the city center
https://www.finavia.fi/en/airports/helsinki-airport/access
BOATS
from Tallinn
https://laivaliput.fi/#pricelist
from Travemünde
https://www.finnlines.com/
LOCAL TRAFFIC
journey planner
HSL
TAXI
Taksi Helsinki phone +358 100 0700 or app
HELSINKI REGION OVERVIEW
The capital of Finland has 650 000 inhabitants and is surrounded by sea from east, south and west. Together with neighboring cities of Espoo (where Hanasaari is located), Vantaa and Kauniainen the greater Helsinki area has around a a million inhabitants.
https://www.myhelsinki.fi/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Helsinki
https://www.discoveringfinland.com/metropolitan-area/
HELSINKI HOTELS FOR EXTENDED STAY
https://www.myhelsinki.fi/see-and-do/accommodation/hotels-in-helsinki-for-every-budget
FINNISH FILM AFFAIR (FFA) AND HELSINKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Our partners at Helsinki International Film Festival are delighted to offer WIFTI Helsinki Summit attendees an accreditation badge to Finnish Film Affair at a special price.
HIFF – Love & Anarchy Film Festival takes place in Helsinki 14-24 September, with its industry event FFA – Finnish Film Affair on 20-22 September.
Attendees of WIFTI Summit receive a 20% discount on international guest accreditation for Finnish Film Affair (deal price 144 euros, inc. VAT 10%).
Finnish Film Affair’s guest accreditation for international industry professionals includes:
– Guest accreditation for 3 days
– Lunches and dinners on event days
– Invites to networking events, such as a sauna evening on Thursday 21 September
– The help of our matchmaker, curating your meetings with hand-chosen projects
– Discount code for our festival hotel
– For access to film festival screenings at Love & Anarchy 14.-24.9.2023, an additional HIFF PRO badge can be purchased with 30 euros
FINNISH FILM AFFAIR
Finnish Film Affair is the industry event of Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy and an international showcase of Finnish films and Nordic talent. Organised since 2012, approximately 500 film industry professionals from Finland and around the world attend the event each year. The event consists of panels, networking events, film screenings, and above all the esteemed showcase, which spotlights nearly 50 Finnish films each year, including four first or second-feature directors from our neighbouring Nordic countries. The 12th Finnish Film Affair will take place Wednesday-Friday 20-22 September 2023.
The Early bird accreditation to FFA will open on June 12 at their website https://hiff.fi/en/finnishfilmaffair/how-to-attend
HELSINKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – LOVE & ANARCHY
Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy is Finland’s biggest film festival which promotes the artistry of filmmaking alongside inventive, controversial and visually stunning new films. The festival is the number one place to experience films that would otherwise not be seen in Finnish theatres. The yearly festival programme consists of new films from well-known filmmakers and fresh talents alike. During its over 30-year lifespan, HIFF has expanded from two theatres to 18 screens and established itself as an 11-day homage to cinema. In 1988 the festival screened 26 films, whereas nowadays the programme consists of 140 feature films and 130 short films. Additionally, HIFF hosts its R&A Shorts National Competition, a variety of talks and panels, extracurricular parties throughout the festival, and has the joy of bringing guests the likes of Spike Lee, Danny Boyle, Tilda Swinton, Naoko Ogigami, Jan Kounen, Aleksandr Sokurov, Baz Luhrmann, Philip Ridley, Nicolas Winding Refn, Jacques Audiard, Lucile Hadžihalilović, Terence Davies and Cristian Mungiu to Helsinki. The 36th HIFF – Love & Anarchy festival will be held 14.-24.9.2023.
SUBMIT YOUR FILM
The 36th Helsinki IFF screens films mainly from 2022 and 2023. The festival’s film selection is by invitation only, but you can still suggest your film by sending an email with synopsis and credits to outi@hiff.fi by June 9th. The festival will be in touch before the end of July in case it’s possible to consider the film for its next edition.