VOWSS, the initiative by SheSays and The Voice of a Woman (VOW), which features the work of filmmakers, creative leaders and risk-takers from around the world, made its debut at Cannes Lions last year. VOW and SheSays, an organisation offering free mentorship and events for women based in 21 global cities, created VOWSS to ensure there’s not only space to discuss the obstacles many women face in the industry, but also to celebrate their best work.
The VOWSS: a new showcase at Cannes to show off what women can do
This year, it ran a preview event at the 2018 D&AD Festival. Now it has returned to Cannes for its next edition. The official Cannes Lions Fringe Event showcased a selection of short films, branded content and commercials created by global female creatives.
The partners selected a committee of judges and gave them the task of awarding the best among the work shown. Tuesday’s winners include:
- First Prize for Creative Direction: Bianca Guimarães for Monica Lewinsky In Real Life
- Best Writer/Director : Sasha Rainbow for Life’s what you make it
- Rising Stars: Selma Ahmed and Genevieve De Rohan Willner for H&M – Tokyo.
https://vimeo.com/113021770
Maureen A. Bryan, founder of VOW: The Voice Of A Woman and co-founder of the VOWSS, commented, “2018 is proving itself the Year Of The Woman and following the launch of the 5050×2020 campaign – a programming parity pledge – led by Cate Blanchet at the Cannes Film Festival in May, VOW is proud to be partnered with SheSays during the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity to address a critical need for equality in advertising, with more women given creative leadership opportunities.”
Laura Jordan-Bambach, chief creative officer of Mr. President and co-founder of SheSays, added, “Over the last 12 months there has been a sea change around gender inequality and sexual harassment, something that SheSays has been working to change for over 10 years. So it’s a fitting moment to celebrate the achievements of all women, with some of the best short films, branded content and advertising across the globe; and to award the brilliant female creative directors, directors and rising stars of the industry behind them.”
VOWSS is sponsored by independent creative agency, Mr. President; creative media group, Rise, and Facebook Creative Shop, with support from Frank & Lively, Finchfactor, HappyDown and The Mill.
