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MODERN FILMS AND THE KERING FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE FINALISTS FOR SHORT FILM INITIATIVE: 16 DAYS 16 FILMS

Inspired by the UN Women campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, 16 DAYS 16 FILMS is a short film initiative that focuses on filmed content addressing violence against women.

Today Modern Films, in partnership with The Kering Foundation, are pleased to announce the 16 finalists and the jury members.

16 Days 16 Films is now returning for a second year and will run online from 25 November to 10 December, between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day.

One finalist film will be released per day throughout the 16 Days of Activism, 25 November – 10 December, in order to raise awareness of gender-based violence through the power of cinema and to push for change and accountability. The films will be shown on both Modern Films and the Kering Foundation online platforms, and will also be shared by the specialist organisations NGOs Chayn Italia and En avant toute(s), as well as the campaign UK Says No More.

The campaign will conclude with a special screening of all 16 films with an awards presentation on 16 December in London. 

Our independent jury will choose the winning filmmaker and two runners-up, with each of the three receiving a prize. The first-place winner will also receive the opportunity to create a new public service announcement for UK Says No More.

“We are proud to support female filmmakers and their powerful stories that shed light on the complexities and prevalence of violence against women worldwide. Covering topics ranging from consent to female genital mutilation to femicide, these 16 films demonstrate how far we have come and yet how far we still have to go to eradicate this violence.”  Céline Bonnaire, executive director of the Kering Foundation

“Our final 16 films present an exciting array of styles, giving voice to powerful stories in imaginative ways. By creating a public platform to profile these films and filmmakers, 16 Days 16 Films aims to amplify the reach of their stories and the vital issues raised, while encouraging and celebrating new and emerging female voices.” Johanna von Fischer, Producer 16 Days 16 Films

The 16 finalists:

Our jury will include Actress Thandie Newton, Director Alice Winocour, Executive Director of the Kering Foundation Celine Bonnaire, Creative Director Modern Films Betty Aldous, Actress Jodie Whittaker, Broadcaster Edith Bowman, Head of Special Projects Obscured Pictures Julie La’Bassiere, Editor in Chief Elle France Katell Pouliquen, Partnerships Manager UKSNM Sarah D’Angelis, Advocate and Activist Marai Larasi.  Further names will be announced.

This year, 16 DAYS 16 FILMS received nearly 150 submissions, with the programme also including entries from France and Italy, along with the UK. All films submitted are 25 minutes or under, directed by female-identifying filmmakers and say something significant about gender-based abuse.

In 2018, 89 films were submitted from UK filmmakers, including newcomers and starring such established names as Lesley Manville. The jury selected Jayisha Patel’s Circle (first prize), Miranda Stern’s Everybody’s Business (second) and Fiona Compton’s Silence, (third).

16 DAYS 16 FILMS takes place in association with UK Says No More which is a national campaign focused on raising awareness and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence in the UK.

“UK SAYS NO MORE recognises that gender based violence impacts us all and everyone has a role to play to end domestic abuse and sexual violence. Film is a powerful medium to convey awareness and transport us through a journey of understanding. The 16 Days 16 Films competition connects filmmaker's stories to the audience, inspiring them to be a part of our community-wide response and enabling those closest to victims to feel confident to believe, respond and refer to specialist services effectively.” Lyndsey Dearlove, Head of UK SAYS NO MORE

Local partners in Italy are Chayn Italia and En Avant toute (s) in France.

For more information please visit:

www.16days16films.com

www.modernfilms.com/16days16films

www.KeringFoundation.org

Facebook: @modernfilms / @Keringgroup / @16days16films

Instagram: @16days16films / @Kering_official

Twitter: @16days16films / @KeringforWomen

About Modern Films

Modern Films is a London-based, female-led film production, distribution and event cinema agency. Established in 2017 with a mandate to work on stories that address social issues head-on through film and media content, they launched with the Event Cinema release of Manifesto starring Cate Blanchett and with Executive Production on the BAFTA-winning I am Not a Witch. They focus on A-list festival competitors, critically acclaimed titles and international award winners. Highlights of their slate include Alice Rohrwacher’s Happy as Lazzaro, Iciar Bollain’s Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story, documentary Shooting the Mafia by Kim Longinotto and the upcoming The Perfect Candidate by Haifaa al Mansour.

About the Kering Foundation

Worldwide, 1 in 3 women is or will be a victim of violence during her lifetime. Since 2008, the Kering Foundation combats this violence that affects all cultures and all social classes. To maximize its impact, the Foundation works hand in hand with a limited number of local partners in the three main regions where the Group operates: the American continent, Western Europe and Asia.

The Foundation supports local survivor-centered organizations that provide comprehensive services to women, and works with younger generations, particularly young men and boys, to combat violence against women through prevention programs.

The Foundation also seeks to change behaviors within Kering and in society in general. It offers training sessions on domestic violence for Kering employees and created, in 2018, alongside the FACE Foundation, “One in Three Women”, the first European network of companies engaged against gender-based violence.

About UK SAYS NO MORE

UK SAYS NO MORE is a national campaign launched in early 2016 with the aim to raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence across the UK. UK SAYS NO MORE unites and strengthens a diverse community of members under one powerful, visual symbol, and provides open-source tools, information and resources for individuals and organisations to get involved. Together, we are challenging the myths and misconceptions around domestic abuse and sexual violence, sharing resources and information and ultimately working together to make real positive social change.

About 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual campaign, which has run since 1991, and has 164 countries and 3,700 organisations involved. It uses the 16 days between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25th November) and International Human Rights Day (10th December) to reinforce that eliminating all forms of violence against women is a human rights issue, and that the act of perpetrating violence against women is a human rights violation.

About En avant toute(s)
En avant toute(s) is an organisation working for gender equality and the end of gender-based violence, by fighting stereotypes and supporting survivors. This innovative organization created the first chat room in France focused on responding to the needs of young people who are questioning their romantic relationships and the violence they may be experiencing in it.

About Chayn Italia
Chayn Italia is an open source platform that addresses gender-based violence by providing clear and comprehensive tools, information and support to women survivors and those who are close to them.