Last night, at Fouquet’s New York, filmmakers, actresses, and movie buffs alike gathered together for Tribeca and Chanel’s annual Through Her Lens event. Attendees (many of whom donned Chanel’s classic tweed) filled the room for a spirited discussion about diversity, the power of storytelling, and the importance of empowering women in film.
The evening kicked off with champagne and opening remarks from Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, which hosts the Tribeca Film Festival. "In the darkness and the light, women’s voices are always vital sources of inspiration, clarity, passion, and, yes, hope," Rosenthal told the audience.
Shortly after, Through Her Lens advisor and filmmaker Patty Jenkins and actress Zazie Beetz hit the stage for the evening’s conversation.
Patty Jenkins shared her vision, saying, "I want to encourage diverse filmmakers to tell diverse stories. From the industry position, they make efforts to hire people, but there are big strides that still need to be made in the kinds of stories that are told."
Zazie Beetz supported this view, stating, "The formula of what we’ve been making isn’t working. And I think there’s a really cool opportunity in that to redefine a lot of stuff, be creative, and try different things. For me, as a creator, that’s exciting."
Through Her Lens, part of the Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program, has been supporting the next generation of artists through mentorship, artistic development, and funding for the past 10 years. Many alumni of the program have gone on to make critically acclaimed films.
"Now, more than ever, we need the perspective, tenacity, and creativity of women storytellers," said Rosenthal. "And the ongoing work of Tribeca and Chanel will ensure that their stories are heard."
To get an inside look at this year’s Through Her Lens event, check out the gallery below.
