L’Oréal Paris is proud to announce the third annual Lights on Women Award, which continues to showcase the talented female filmmakers of tomorrow.
With the Lights on Women Award,
L’Oréal Paris celebrates female talents.
In 2021, L’Oréal Paris took that commitment to the next level, with the creation of a dedicated yearly award program for promising female short filmmakers. The award attempts to create a path for women in film to advance their careers while also addressing the industry's under-representation of women. Surprisingly, only 17% of women direct top-grossing films, and only 25% serve in critical behind-the-scenes roles.
The winner of the Lights on Women Award will be announced at the Jeune Cinéma dinner on May 26 by Kate Winslet, who acts as both a L'Oréal Paris ambassador and the award's lead juror.
"As we celebrate 26 years as official festival partner, it’s an honor to once again turn the Lights on Women, supporting the female talent in the Festival de Cannes shorts category, to diversify the stories that reach our screens.”
Delphine Viguier-Ovasz, International President of L'Oréal Paris.
Fatima Kaci from France has received the third annual Lights On Women Award for her short film The Voice of Others
Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Fatima Kaci, Kate Winslet at the Cinéma de Demain dinner
L’Oréal Paris has announced the third annual winner of the Lights On Women Award, chosen from the Short Films Competition and La Cinef’s selection at Cannes. Fatima Kaci from France took the top honour for her 30-minute film, La Voix des Autres (The Voice of Others), from the 14 selected short films. The film depicts the story of a Tunisian interpreter in France translating the stories of refugees whose voices raise questions about her own identity.
The final choice was announced in person by Academy Award-winner, L’Oréal Paris spokesperson and Juror of the 2023 edition, Kate Winslet, who described the film as"A remarkable testament to a woman's boundless empathy for others, which becomes her most profound emotional strength. A truly phenomenal short film."
The award is presented personally by our juror - actress Kate Winslet
“Every festival, a new generation of female directors remind us of the power and importance of female storytelling. I’m delighted to return to the Festival de Cannes with L’Oréal Paris to support women filmmakers. It's a privilege to be part of something that was specifically created to support and nurture women in film, and to be able to showcase their skills and to celebrate their unique work. I am extremely excited to watch their stories unfold in the Cannes Short Film selection for this year.”
Kate Winslet, L’Oréal Paris ambassador and Lights on Women juror
In 2022, Mai Vu, a talented filmmaker originally from Vietnam, took the top honor for her 9-minute film, "Spring Roll Dream", described as “exquisite” by juror Kate Winslet. This touching film beautifully portrays the significance of family tradition in a simple yet profound manner. Vu’s achievement follows the 2021 inaugural Lights on Women Award winner, Aleksandra Odić from Germany.
Watch the winner's movie
The Award’s first edition was opened by a young and talented German director with her short film, "Frida." The film tells the story of an encounter between a young nurse and her patient of the same age.
Watch the winner's movie
