Cannes: Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor and Women in Film Los Angeles (WIF) launched a new initiative to support women filmmakers in India at Cannes.

At a special Cannes Film Festival event organized by the Paris Film Region and WIF (Women in Film, Los Angeles), the official launch of a new Women in Film chapter was announced; Wife: India. The initiative, part of the global WIFTI (Women in Film and Television International) network, is committed to advancing gender equality across Indian screen industries, it said in a statement. Guneet will lead it.

Speaking about it, Guneet said, “From being in rooms where male colleagues had to communicate on my behalf in order to be taken seriously, to leading international co-productions and studio-level projects, I Have seen and been actively involved in progress for over 2 decades. Yet comprehensive studies like the ‘O Womania! Report’ still suggest a lack of gender diversity in major film production departments, in a study of 156 films. Only 12 are reported to have held key positions in the department by women.”

She added, “Throughout its 50 years, WIF has worked to change the culture in Hollywood by helping build a pipeline of emerging female creators. My hope for WIF: India will break down the systemic barriers for women to access these jobs. To encourage a new era of change – by offering mentorship, networking and fellowship, workshops and an industry helpline to help sustain the careers of those currently in the industry. is truly the future and with WIF and WIF: India we hope to tap into that limitless potential, creating equality and opportunity for women seeking careers in the screen industries.”

Founded in Los Angeles in 1973 as Women in Film, WIF has been fighting for gender equality for more than 50 years. WIF works to eliminate gender bias in screen industries by building pipelines, sustaining careers, and advocating for change. Membership is open to all screen industry professionals. WIF is led by Chief Executive Officer Kirsten Schaefer and Chair of the Board of Directors Amy Baer. Kirsten Schaefer, CEO of WIF, said, “With an ever-growing global market and deep connections between the film industries in India and the US, this is a natural next step in the evolution of our gender.

Equality work. We realize the immense importance of creating communities and resources for women filmmakers in India and we look forward to collaborating with Guneet on this initiative.”