The second edition of London’s Women and the World International Film Festival concluded on November 12 with the premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great. The event showcased this much-anticipated feature while spotlighting the emerging voices of women in cinema. Erin Kellyman, the film’s lead actress, joined a post-screening discussion organized in collaboration with Sony Pictures Classics and moderated by Victoria Emslie, an award-winning British actor-producer and member of the festival’s jury.
Exploring Loneliness and Connection in Cinema
Victoria Emslie emphasized the film’s thematic focus on loneliness and human connection. She remarked,
“The film invites us to confront and sit in the messiness of loneliness, both in the present moment and through an intergenerational lens; and challenges the perceived risks of connection by letting ourselves be truly seen and known by others.”
Emslie further reflected on the festival’s broader mission:
“In an increasingly polarised and unpredictable world, one of the most effective way to remedy and alleviate both the individual and collective fear and scarcity is to come together in community, which is why WWIFF has ripple effects beyond the festival itself.”
Diverse Jury Panel Engages with Global Themes
The festival’s jury included accomplished figures such as screenwriter Peter Straughan, known for works like Conclave and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, actors Daniel Ings from The Crown, Tamara Lawrance starring in The Silent Twins, Diem Camille of Alien, and festival co-founder Ksenia Bugrimova. Their diverse backgrounds enriched the festival’s examination of social issues through film.
Recognition for Filmmakers Tackling Social Change
WWIFF featured categories spanning documentaries, feature films, shorts, and performance pieces, culminating in the Women of Global Impact Awards. These honors highlighted filmmakers addressing conflict and social transformation. Mariia Vynogradova, co-founder of the festival and host of the Eurovision Song Contest, shared,
“We truly love this festival with all our hearts because it’s about youth, sensuality, possibility, and social meaning.”
She added,
“It reminds us why women’s voices in cinema matter more than ever.”
Opening Night Highlights Refugee Advocacy
The festival opened on November 6 with Gar O’Rourke’s Sanatorium, Ireland’s submission for the Oscars. During the ceremony, Lady Sophie Windsor presented the Women of Global Impact Award to Nicole Ansari-Cox for her work in advocating for displaced women worldwide. Ansari-Cox expressed the urgency of ongoing support:
“We must continue to support refugee women and filmmakers everywhere, Iranian, Palestinian, Ukrainian, or any other.”
She also noted,
“Whenever women rise, communities heal. This festival proves that art can be a bridge between pain and hope.”
A Platform Rooted in Global Collaboration
Founded in 2022 by Ukrainian producers through the nonprofit Talented U Limited, the festival connects creative professionals across more than a dozen countries. Serving as a vital forum for storytelling and social engagement, it amplifies voices calling for peace and understanding amid global conflict, reflecting the festival’s commitment to fostering unity through cinema.
