Cover Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz jointly won the ‘Best Actress’ Award for ‘Emilia Perez,’ making Gascón the first trans-woman to win the recognition (Photo: Getty Images)
Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz jointly won the ‘Best Actress’ Award for ‘Emilia Perez,’ making Gascón the first trans-woman to win the recognition (Photo: Getty Images)
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From Payal Kapadia making history to Greta Gerwig leading the jury, the Cannes Festival 2024 saw some clear wins for women and gender equality
Cinema is historically dominated by men, and while changes happen slowly in this industry, when they do, they’re sure to be felt. The Cannes Film Festival 2024 offered some glimmers of hope in terms of better gender equality.
Out of the 21 films vying for the prestigious Palme d’Or, the competition’s most prestigious award, ten were directed by women.
Some women used the Cannes Festival to speak up about issues, such as director Judith Godreche, one of the most outspoken voices of the French #MeToo moment, who took to the red carpet to denounce sexual assault; and Cate Blanchett who spoke about the need for better female representation and for men to be involved in the conversation. The festival also saw a significant presence of films tackling women’s issues and highlighting female-centric stories.
As the French Riviera’s biggest cinema event came to an end, Front & Female looks back at six moments that were clear wins for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
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Payal Kapadia became the first Indian person to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival
Above Payal Kapadia became the first Indian person to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
Payal Kapadia became the first Indian person to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
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Filmmaker Payal Kapadia made history on May 25, as she became the first person from India to clinch the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, the second-most prestigious prize after the Palme d’Or.
The Indian director’s drama All We Imagine As Light centres on two nurses who have moved to a beautifully-shot Mumbai, and are navigating life, love and sisterhood. It is the first Indian movie in 30 years to compete in Cannes’ main competition.
Greta Gerwig became the second female director to lead the Cannes Jury
Above In 2024, Greta Gerwig became the second female director to lead the Cannes Jury (Photo: Getty Images)
In 2024, Greta Gerwig became the second female director to lead the Cannes Jury (Photo: Getty Images)
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For decades, the Cannes jury—the group in charge of choosing which films will receive an award—has been dominated by male filmmakers. This year, Greta Gerwig became only the second female director, after Jane Campion in 2014, to lead the panel.
The appointment of the director of Lady Bird (2017), Little Women (2019) and Barbie (2023) as the president of the jury marked a powerful statement; not only does it celebrate her career as a director, screenwriter and actress, but it also marks a win for gender equality at the festival that, hopefully, will spark a long-overdue shift towards inclusivity.
Amanda Nell received the Women In Motion Emerging Talent Award at Cannes
Above Amanda Nell at the Cannes Festival (Photo: Instagram / @nelleu)
Amanda Nell at the Cannes Festival (Photo: Instagram / @nelleu)
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Front & Female Awards 2024 Malaysia honouree and Tatler Malaysia’s March cover star Amanda Nell Eu was presented with the annual Cannes Award, which recognises emerging female talents in film. The initiative was launched in May 2015 by luxury group Kering as part of its partnership with the Festival de Cannes. It has become an integral part of its official programme, with a series of events around the world.
L'Oréal launches the ‘Lights on Women’ Award for rising female short filmmakers
Above Tiffany Tang earing L'Oréal make-up (Photo: Instagram / @lorealparis)
Above Soo Joo wearing L'Oréal make-up (Photo: Instagram / @lorealparis)
Tiffany Tang earing L'Oréal make-up (Photo: Instagram / @lorealparis)
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In partnership with the Short Films competition and the international film schools programme, French beauty brand L’Oréal Paris launched the “Lights on Women” Award, which will recognise a rising female talent and empower her to overcome barriers and help transform the film industry of tomorrow. The winner will be announced on July 16 by Kate Winslet.
The brand also made sure to highlight the diversity of its ambassadors on the red carpet. They include Tiffany Tang, Gemma Chan, Soo Joo Park, Helen Mirren, Leila Bekhti, and Andie MacDowell.
You might also like: Cannes Film Festival 2024: The best dressed Asian celebrities, from Michelle Yeoh to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’, winner of the Palme d’Or, on eliminating prejudice against sex workers
Above Sean Baker’s “Anora“ touches on the life of sex workers
Sean Baker’s “Anora“ touches on the life of sex workers
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Palme d’Or winner Sean Baker’s movie Anora is a darkly funny, touching drama about a young exotic dancer who becomes involved with a Russian oligarch’s son. The director made sure to shed light on sex workers during his acceptance speech.
“This Palme is for all sex workers—I’ve spoken about them in several of my films. All these individual stories may not change the world but they can help to eliminate prejudice,” he said. “I hope it will help people to see sex workers in a more positive light. Anora isn’t exactly a mainstream film, but I hope that, thanks to the Palme d’Or, we’ll be able to show it in cinemas and remind the general public that films like this do exist.”
Karla Sofía Gascón became the first trans woman to receive the “Best Actress Award” at the Cannes Festival
Above Karla Sofía Gascón accepts the “Best Actress” Award for “Emilia Perez” alongside Adriana Paz, Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana (Photo: Getty Images)
Karla Sofía Gascón accepts the “Best Actress” Award for “Emilia Perez” alongside Adriana Paz, Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana (Photo: Getty Images)
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Karla Sofía Gascón was jointly awarded the Best Actress gong alongside her co-stars Adriana Paz, Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana for her role in Jacques Audiard’s vibrant Mexico-set musical Emilia Perez (2024). The Spanish actress plays both a drug lord Manitas, who undergoes a gender affirmation operation to become the title character.
Gascón became the first trans woman to receive this prize at the Cannes Festival. She delivered a powerful speech on the struggles the trans community faces, particularly when it comes to mental health.
Hong Kong cinema made a come back with a movie on women’s social rights in 1940s Shanghai
Above “She’s Got No Name” by Peter Chan highlights a revolution in women’s social rights in 1940s China.
“She’s Got No Name” by Peter Chan highlights a revolution in women’s social rights in 1940s China.
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Hong Kong’s director and producer Peter Chan marked his expected return to the Cannes Festival with a movie highlighting a revolution in women’s social rights in 1940s China.
She’s Got No Name (2024) follows the story of a woman named Zhan-Zhou who is accused of brutally murdering and dismembering her husband—a killing that seems impossible for her to have committed alone. Subsequently, her case sparked a revolution in women’s social rights, as her trial revealed that she had been a victim of domestic violence.
Read more: Peter Chan’s ‘She’s Got No Name’ debuted at Cannes Film Festival: What you need to know about it
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Salomé Grouard was Digital Editor and Front & Female Content Lead at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on managing Tatler Hong Kong’s digital platform and content, she also covers gender equality, the music scene and sports through interviews with industry leaders, experts and trendsetters.
Interview highlights include renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Korean actor Park Seo Jun, singer Jorja Smith, Chinese TV host Yue-Sai Kan, YouTuber Kimono Mom, Japanese rapper Awich, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Mikey Musumeci.
She has also produced stories on revolutionising sexual wellness in Asia, activism within the surfing community, Asian trans musicians reclaiming their narratives through music and looked at the toxicity of gym culture through the lens of the plus-size community. She also covers music festivals, such as Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Bali’s Suara.
