Kering and the Festival de Cannes announce Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as recipients of the 2016 ‘Women in Motion’ Awards
Kering and the Festival de Cannes announce Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as recipients of the 2016 ‘Women in Motion’ Awards
As part of the second edition of the ‘Women in Motion’ program, which aims to support women professionals within the film industry, and on the occasion of the ‘Presidential Dinner’ held on Sunday 15 May 2016, Kering and the Festival de Cannes will honour the Academy Award winner American actor Geena Davis, and the Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner American actor Susan Sarandon for their outstanding contribution to both the film industry and the women’s cause.
The ‘Women in Motion’ Award ceremony will bring together Thelma & Louise’s iconic lead actresses celebrating the 25th anniversary of the cult film.In 2015, the ‘Women in Motion’ Awards were given to actress, producer and committed philanthropist Jane Fonda and to independent producer, Megan Ellison.
the imbalance of female characters on-screen and behind-the-camera
Geena Davis, founder and chair of the non-profit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has pioneered and led world renowned and large-scale research on the imbalance of female characters on-screen and behind-the-camera nearly ten years. Susan Sarandon is committed to the promotion and defene of human rights, through intense activism and support to various non-profits and human rights organizations worldwide.
Davis and Sarandon’s contribution to the women’s cause is additionally remembered through the worldwide success of the iconic American classic Thelma & Louise, Ridley Scott’s road movie, screened at the 1991 Festival de Cannes. Written by Callie Khouri, the film has won Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, nominated for six Academy Awards in total, among which Best Director and Best Actress in a Leading Role.
As part of the ‘Women in Motion’ Awards agenda, acting as role models for their exemplary careers and social commitment, Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon have chosen the winner(s) of the ‘Women in Motion’ award in support of young talents. Recipient(s) for this second prize, selected among a shortlist of talents identified throughout 2015, will be revealed shortly.
Keeping with the 2015 Presidential Dinner’s philosophy, the dinner will be presented by the renowned French chef, Anne-Sophie Pic, the only 3-starred woman in France, known for her seek for complex flavour combinations and powerful tastes.
Featured picture is the curtosy of MEDIAPUNCH/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK