16 Days 16 Films festival announces diverse jury for 2024, aims to combat violence against women through cinema

The 16 Days 16 Films festival, dedicated to addressing violence against women through film, has announced its jury for the 2024 edition, set to run from 25^th November to 10^th December. The event, now in its seventh year, will take place in London, and this year’s jury features a diverse group of industry professionals, including actress and writer Zawe Ashton, and Tabitha Morton, Executive Director at UN Women UK.

The jury lineup also includes Jenny Halper, EVP, Head of Creative at Maven Screen Media, Juliet Kirby, Producer for Aluna Entertainment, actress and activist Sarah Solemani, Liza Marshall, Producer for Hera Pictures, Yarit Dor, an Intimacy Coordinator and Movement Coach, Director Soudade Kadaan, Koye Adeboye from the UN Spotlight Initiative, and writer and broadcaster Emma-Louise Boynton.

Ashton expressed her enthusiasm about joining the jury, stating, “Cinema has the unique ability to foster empathy, raise awareness, and catalyse important conversations. I’m honoured to be a part of an event that aims to leverage this transformative medium to drive progress on critical issues facing women. By showcasing this powerful and impactful work, we can inspire change, challenge societal norms and take meaningful steps towards ending the epidemic of violence against women.”

The festival, launched in 2018 by Johanna von Fischer and Ginta Gelvan, continues to receive support from prominent organisations such as UN Women, UK Says No More, Equimundo, Voice of Change, the Geena Davis Institute and Times Up UK. This year, global communications agency DDA has joined as a key supporter.

The 2024 festival will feature films from female filmmakers across various countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, USA, and for the first time, Argentina and Nigeria. The selected works include titles such as 261 by Juliette Henry, Nine Days in August by Ella Knorz, and Bathsheba by Myah Asha Jeffers, among others. These films aim to explore, emote and educate on all forms of violence against women, aligning with the festival’s goal to raise awareness and provoke societal and cultural change.

Morton of UN Women UK highlighted the importance of the festival’s mission, stating, “The stories told through these films, whether they educate, provoke, or inspire, are vital in driving cultural and social change. We are championing the talent of women in film while also rallying global audiences to join the fight for equality and justice.”

The festival coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign that runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25^th November to International Human Rights Day on 10^th December. The campaign emphasises that violence against women is a violation of human rights.

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16 Days 16 Films runs from 25^th November to 10^th December. For more information, visit their website here.

Watch a video from the 16 Days 16 Films International Women’s Day screening event here: