Power of Women Summit  Gathers Top Women in the Industry

to Address Solutions for Equity and Wellness (Exclusive)

Featured Keynote Speaker Marie-Claire Benson, Lead Executive Vice-President

and Head of the Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate UK, shares Her Journey

Power of Women Summit Attendees - © Michael Doherty

May 22nd, 2024: 100 women of influence in the film industry attended the 3rd POWER OF WOMEN SUMMIT at The Members Club during the Festival de Cannes. This is a unique event unlike any other at the film market. The attendees discuss issues that are of concern to women in the industry today, and find solutions that can be translated into tangible action plans. This year's topics included #MeToo and the decision to overturn Harvey Weinsteins' conviction in New York; how evolving technologies are affecting women in business, and their personal lives; the evolution of equity, inclusion and equality, self-care, self-image, and preserving relations while industry responsibilities take women away from home and family.

Keynote speaker Marie-Claire Benson, Head of the Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate UK, presented an emotional recount of her journey, and the challenges women face in the entertainment business. The conversation was moderated by the co-founder and co-producer of the POWER OF WOMEN SUMMIT, US-based entertainment attorney and finance consultant Vinca Jarrett.

“The world has been managed by men since the beginning of my career and it's been hard for us to get ahead in leading roles,” said Marie-Claire Benson.

“It’s sobering to see how many women in such a glamorous industry have experienced body dysmorphia, and we all need to acknowledge that this needs to change” added Vinca Jarrett. When the audience was asked if they felt that way, over half of the women raised their hands.

Charlene Paling, JD, Deputy Head Senior Vice President - Entertainment and Media, whose company Western Alliance Bank is one of the top sponsors of the event, engaged in an onstage conversation with Vinca Jarett, about how international co-productions provides more access to women seeking financing for projects and often levels the playing field. “Western Alliance Bank empowers women to succeed in their careers, whether by forging connections on a global scale or through our Women’s Alliance Business Resource Group and Women’s Sales Mentoring program. As a proud sponsor of the Power of Women Summit, we value the insights and perspectives of industry professionals and clients from around the world,” Paling said during the discussion onstage.

The event broke into ten working groups facilitated by notable women in the industry including Jenn Frees, Chief Business and Marketing Officer for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF),  Robin Bronk, CEO at The Creative Coalition and Melanie Krinsky, Senior Director Head of  Entertainment and Media Group. Action plans were presented by each working group that focused on how to improve and elevate the condition of women across every level of the industry.

Emily Salveson, CEO of Streamline Global, an attendee at the summit commented “Women must unapologetically take up space. We must never apologize for having a seat at the table. We have every right to take up the space we are blessed with by virtue of our very existence.”

The event concluded with a major announcement that the Power of Women Summit will be at TIFF Toronto in September with plans for another event in Los Angeles in the late fall.

“The Power of Women Summit Breakfast is a way for me to give back and create a unique and empowering event for women in the entertainment industry. We plan to produce this event during TIFF this year too,” concludes Vinca Jarrett.

The Power of Women Summit debuted in 2022 at The Members Club, during the Festival de Cannes and was an instant success with a list of VIP women in the film industry waiting to get in.