Kering and Sundance Institute announce a collaboration to support women in the film industry

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    Tuesday, January 19, 2016

    Kering and Sundance Institute announce a collaboration to support women in the film industry

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    Kering launches its collaboration with the ‘Women at Sundance’ Fellowship Program at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, to provide year-long support to six female filmmakers. Kering will develop a special training workshop for this year's Women at Sundance Fellows.

     

    In addition, Kering and Sundance Institute will co-host a ‘Women in Motion’ panel discussion in NYC in April 2016.

     

    Kering is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Sundance Institute’s ‘Women at Sundance’ Fellowship Program. The objective of the program is to help talented filmmakers overcome any obstacles they may face in building a career in film. This year, the program matches six women filmmakers from Sundance Institute’s acclaimed programs with industry leaders and decision makers for a year-long, individualized fellowship program, including one-on-one mentorship, coaching and access to learning and networking opportunities. Over the past three years, the Fellowship has supported 29 filmmakers, including Ava DuVernay (director, Selma), Sydney Freeland (writer/director, Drunktown’s Finest), Aurora Guerrero (writer/director, Mosquita y Mari), Marielle Heller (writer/director, The Diary of a Teenage Girl) and Tracy Droz Tragos (director/producer, Rich Hill).

     

    As a global business leader committed to women’s empowerment, Kering will team up with Sundance Institute to further develop its ‘Women in Motion’ program and host the Fellows for a customized training session with inspiring women to develop their leadership skills.

     

    Additionally, Kering and Sundance Institute will present a ‘Women in Motion’ Talk to continue to promote openness and diversity in the film industry. The workshop and the panel discussion will take place in April 2016 in New York City.

     

    Women’s empowerment is at the heart of Kering’s vision and social commitment. Last year, in partnership with the Festival de Cannes, Kering launched the ‘Women in Motion’ program to celebrate female talent in cinema and their contribution to the film industry. Notable actors, writers, directors and producers, both men and women, attended the 2015 ‘Women in Motion’ Talks to exchange views on the gender gap in Hollywood and the film industry at large. Jane Fonda and Megan Ellison received ‘Women in Motion’ awards, which recognized their significant contributions to the industry.

     

    François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of the Kering Group, said: “Women make up 50.8% of the U.S. population and yet only 4.2% of the 100 top-grossing films are made by female directors. However, each year for the last 13 years, 25% of American directors at the Sundance Film Festival have been female. I am thus very excited and proud about Kering supporting ‘Women at Sundance’ Fellows. Empowering women to succeed and encouraging a more diverse film industry is essential when we consider the impact that films have on our ways of thinking and behaving. Sundance Institute is doing this in a very pragmatic and exemplary way.”

     

    Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said: "We have always believed that diverse artists and perspectives are critical to the health and vibrancy of independent storytelling. We are grateful for Kering's support in helping us raise awareness of the importance of gender equality in entertainment and empowering women filmmakers.”

     

    About Kering

     

    A world leader in apparel and accessories, Kering develops an ensemble of powerful Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle brands: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Pomellato, Qeelin, Ulysse Nardin, Puma, Volcom, Cobra and Electric. By ‘empowering imagination’ in the fullest sense, Kering encourages its brands to reach their potential, in the most sustainable manner.

     

    Present in more than 120 countries, the Group generated revenues of €10 billion in 2014 and had more than 37,000 employees at year end. The Kering (previously PPR) share is listed on Euronext Paris (FR 0000121485, KER.PA, KER.FP).

     

    About Sundance Institute

     

    Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. The Institute's signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, The Invisible War, The Square, Dirty Wars, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home.

     

    Press Contacts

     

    Kering

     

    Marie-Laure Vaganay +1 646 650 3424 marie-laure.vaganay@kering.com

     

    Maryam Ayromlou +1 703-474-5685 ayromloum@RuderFinn.com

     

    Sundance Institute

     

    Emel Shaikh +1 310 360 1981 emel_shaikh@sundance.org

     

    Websites:

     

    www.kering.com

     

    www.sundance.org

     

    Social Media

     

    Twitter: @KeringGroup; @sundancefest

     

    LinkedIn: Kering, Sundance Institute

     

    Instagram: @kering_official; @sundanceinstitute

     

    YouTube: KeringGroup, SFF

     

    Download the press release (.pdf 312.55 KB)