Woman with a Movie Camera Summit 2025

The Woman with a Movie Camera Summit returns to BFI Southbank!

An annual event, the summit programme is formed by over 20 events exploring film and television, focused on lending female and non-binary voices a chance to speak about the issues facing them in today’s workplace and culture.

Purchasing a summit pass will give you access to a day packed with talks, Q&As and panel discussions with filmmakers, curators and creatives, as well as workshops and drop-in sessions. The full programme line up will be available online in December.

£15, Concessions £12 (members pay £2 less), 25&Under £5

Events schedule

Polyester Magazine in Conversation

11:15 – 12:15, Blue Room

Polyester Magazine is at the forefront of contemporary feminist visual cultures, with a self published zine, online platform and podcast. Spotlighting some of the biggest names in cyberspace and always keeping atop of the cultural zeitgeist, it’s no wonder that they have quickly become one of the pioneers of intersectional, diverse media. Hear from the team about what it takes to stand out in the world of independent journalism, supporting working class writers, and staying ahead of ever fleeting trends.

Speakers: Ione Gamble, Gina Tonic

An Introduction to Chantal Akerman

11:15-12:00, NFT2

Chantal Akerman is best known for Jeanne Dielman, the minimal masterpiece which topped Sight and Sound’s Greatest Films of All Time Poll. But there’s more to this maverick: ahead of her time making introspective odysseys from an innately feminist, queer, and Jewish perspective, she believed all labels should be thrown away. ‘I don’t belong anywhere’, she famously said. The same is true of her restless, uncategorisable cinema.

Ahead of BFI’s retrospective running throughout February and March, season curator Isabel Stevens takes us on a whistlestop tour of Akerman’s preoccupations, influence and brilliance.

Speakers: Isabel Stevens

Messy Collective Presents: Visualisation and Manifestation Writual for 2025

11:15-12:00, Bar

Join Messy Collective for a session to get clear on your intentions and set your goals for 2025. As the new year begins, they will guide you through visualisation exercises to help manifest your creative achievements. Plus, you'll walk away with practical tools to stay accountable and keep your momentum going all year long!

She’s Hysterical: Disabled Women on Screen

12:00-12:45, NFT3

Presented by Crip Cinema Collective, this event explores the historical (mis)representation of disabled women in film and the way ableist misogyny has steered narratives of disabled women throughout cinematic history. Emily Simmons, Florence Grieve, and Charlie Little will unpick tropes like the fragile ‘damsel in distress’, the pitiful, asexual figure, and of course, the hysterical disabled woman.

Speakers: Crip Cinema Collective

The Woman in the Wardrobe + Q&A

12:00-12:45, NFT4

The Woman in the Wardrobe is an urgent tale of hope against the backdrop of destruction. The short film follows Nadiya, a woman who finds sanctuary inside a wardrobe whilst giving birth to her daughter. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with writer-director Ruby Phelan and producer Cheri Darbon, who will discuss making the film, art and activism, and their roles as activists in residence at The Feminist Centre for Racial Justice.

Speakers: Ruby Phelan, Cheri Darbon, Afsaneh Dehrouyeh

The All-Seeing Eyes: Script Supervisors and their Archives

12:15-13:05, NFT2

Despite having the responsibility of overseeing ‘the story and context of all the other departments’ (Mary Cybulski), the role of the Script Supervisor in filmmaking ‘hinges on invisibility’ (Melanie Williams). This panel explores this highly gendered and essential filmmaking role from three perspectives: firstly we will trace the role from early cinema to the present, secondly, showcasing items from the BFI National Archive, we will show how archival work can make the labour of script supervisors more visible, thirdly, we will show how these scripts frequently document the work of other women which might otherwise go unnoticed.

Speakers: Prof Melanie Williams, Prof Helen Hanson and Wendy Russell

No Sex Please, We’re Cinephiles

12:30-13:15, Blue Room

The past few years have seen sex on screen debated, decried, dismissed and defended. Discourse around harassment and women’s safety has shifted our perspective on explicit content, with a backlash emerging towards work designed to arouse and provoke. Are we becoming more puritanical, and is sex really disappearing from our cinemas? Our panellists dig into the evolution of sex on screen over the decades; the political, the transgressive, the erotic and the disturbing.

Host: Ruby McGuigan

Speakers: Xuanlin Tham and Hanna Flint

Echoes of Change: Female Directors and Ethnic Minority Cinema in China

13:15-13:45, NFT4

Ethnic minority filmmaking in China has historically been shaped by state narratives, characterised by idyllic depictions of harmony and spectacle. Contemporary ethnic minority directors are breaking through with distinct, personal stories. This talk will explore the emergence of female directors against the backdrop of film movements like the Tibetan New Wave. Highlighting their innovative storytelling and unique cultural insights, it examines the difficulties of bringing these films to Western screens, showcasing how they challenge mainstream cinematic traditions while amplifying underrepresented voices and reshaping the global understanding of Chinese cinema.

Speaker: Yijiao Dong

The Hijab in Hollywood

13:20-14:05, NFT3

With Hijabi Barbies and Spidermen on our screens, is the Hijab being represented the way it should? We’ll discuss the UK’s contributions with TV shows like We Are Lady Parts and indie films like Rocks, and why Hollywood’s red carpets have more Hijabs than on-screen. Join a panel of Muslim women in film discussing what a good Hijabi-centric narrative looks like, how far Hijabi representation has come and how much progress is left to make.

Host: Jannat Suleman

Speakers: Fatima Sheriff, Ayaan Artan

A Guide to Sex through the Female Lens in Animation

13:30-14:15, NFT2

Prepare to be taken through the animated depiction of female sexuality through the ages. From second wave feminism to millennial queerness, themes covered include body image, strippers and female pleasure. From British animation through to Eastern European classics, these films are bold and unapologetic. Led by Kate Jessop, an award winning writer-animation director, you’re sure to come away feeling enlightened and entertained.

Speaker: Kate Jessop

Show and Tell – What Archives teach us about Continuity Work

13:30-15:00 (drop in), Atrium

As an addition to the panel on Script Supervisors, attendees are invited to take a close-up look at some continuity scripts on display from the BFI National Archive, including scripts from the collections of Pat Rambaut, Penny Eyles and Helene Peacock. Wendy Russell, Eva Norton (both from BFI Special Collections) and Prof Helen Hanson will be on hand to talk about the objects or answer any questions.

This is Going to Ruin the (Press) Tour

13:45-14:30, Blue Room

From red carpet method dressing to chicken-based YouTube interviews, the contemporary promotional tour has evolved rapidly in recent years, and we have also seen several tours take a turn; the drama-filled Don’t Worry Darling, the mis-judging tone of It Ends With Us, and most recently, the surreal emotional heights of Wicked. In this panel discussion we will hold space and dissect the modern press tour, the online rumour mills they fuel, and what happens to the women who get caught up in it all.

Host: Kimberley Sheehan

Speakers: Haaniyah Angus, Lucy Ford

Shasha presents: The restored works of Jocelyne Saab

14:00-15:15, NFT4

Shasha presents a tribute to Lebanese filmmaker Jocelyne Saab, whose early documentary films highlight the marginalised narratives of women and children during the Lebanese Civil War and Palestinian liberation movements throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Direct and intimate, Saab’s early work spoke predominantly to younger generations, using innovative means of storytelling.

You can also watch the full programme globally with English subtitles on shashamovies.com for a limited time.

Saab’s filmography is in the care of the Association Jocelyne Saab, who restore and preserve her films through a series of hands-on digital image, sound and colour restoration workshops, which are hosted in Lebanon and the wider region.

  • Les Femmes Palestiniennes (Palestinian Women), dir. Jocelyne Saab, 11mins
  • Les Enfants de la Guerre (Children of War), dir. Jocelyne Saab, 12mins
  • Beirut, My City, dir. Jocelyne Saab, 37mins

Speakers: Bella Barkett, Roisin Tapponi

Messy Collective Presents: Character and Plot work using Archetype Cards and Tarot

14:00-14:45, Bar

The Messy team havea designed interactive games to help you connect with others at the event while exploring how character and plot influence each other. By using Archetype and Tarot cards, you'll dive into your characters' inner worlds and the choices they face, offering fresh insights into storytelling. This session combines networking with the craft of writing in a chill, friendly environment.

Menopausal Mavericks, Matrons, and Maidens

14:25-15:10, NFT3

Menopause is having a moment, but what can we learn from its depiction on the big screen?

The descent into madness of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, the self reflection of Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry, to the body horror of The Substance; film offers a window into the complexities of “The Change” as a cultural, emotional, and physical journey.

Join us in an engaging discussion with a panel of experts unpacking various representations of menopause in film. The session will examine the intersections of culture, gender and identity, revealing how they shape societal attitudes and impact real people.

Host: Kristin Burniston

Speakers: Caroline Young, Wendy Lloyd, Ali Ramsey

Filmic Poetry: Moufida Tlatli, Kahéna Attia and New African Cinema

14:45-15:30, NFT2

From the 1970s to the 1990s, two Tunisian female editors, Moufida Tlatli and Kahéna Attia, played a pivotal role across pan-African and Third Cinema. Their individual bodies of work include collaborations with some of the most significant names in African cinema, including Férid Boughedir, Ousmane Sembène and Nacer Khemir.

For WWAMC 2025, Ifriqiya Cinema sits down with Kahena Attia to spotlight her and Tlatli’s sprawling creative legacies and the socio-political currents which informed their work. We’ll be joined in this conversation by June Givanni, founder of the June Givanni Pan African Cinema Archive.

Hosts: Hajar and Amina (Ifriqiya Cinema)

Speakers: June Givanni, Kahéna Attia

American Psycho at 25: masculinity through the female lens

14:45-15:30, Blue Room

With the recent news of Luca Guadagnino’s latest project in the works being an adaptation of American Psycho coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the already beloved Mary Harron adaptation, what better time to examine tales of masculinity as seen through the eyes of female directors? Taking the cult film as a starting point, this panel aims to question whether or not we can define a so-called ‘female gaze’ when telling men’s stories, and how women can disrupt historically male spaces with a feminist lens.

Host: Lilia Pavin-Franks

Speakers: Rebecca Liu, Sophie Monks Kaufman

Sondra Locke: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, and the Ratboy

15:30-16:00, NFT3

Sondra Locke was the onscreen heroine and real-life lover of Clint Eastwood, known for her elfin looks and films such as The Outlaw Josey Wales. Infamously, after they separated she filed two lawsuits against Eastwood, claiming he had her blacklisted in Hollywood.

Locke determinedly made her 1986 directorial debut with Ratboy, a bizarre, dystopian fable about a small half-boy half-rat exploited by Hollywood. This talk examines Ratboy within Locke’s intriguing career, shedding light on her work outside of Eastwood’s tall shadow.

Speaker: Charlie Evans Flagg

Traced lines: Croatian female filmmakers and generational filmmaking

15:30-16:30, NFT4

A tapestry of stories confronting cultural memory, familial trauma, and the tendency of older women to not record their own complex lives, this shorts programme sees Croatian, female directors trace lineage via filmic practice. Experimenting with audio-visual techniques and interdisciplinary artforms, these filmmakers each explore the lives and legacies of the women who came before them, capturing raw and emotional tales from a country with a wealth of history.

  • Closeness, dir. Anita Čeko, 5mins
  • The Place From Where I Write You Letters, dir. Nikolina Bogdanović, 9mins
  • How to Talk to Mom, dir. Dalija Dozet, 11mins
  • Valerija, dir. Sara Jurinčić, 15mins

Cameras, Challenges and an Arab Women Comeback

15:50-16:20, Blue Room

Arab women directors: oppressed? Please, hold their camera. While opportunities in the arts remain scarce for women globally, Arab filmmakers are turning resistance, remembrance, and a shoestring budget into cinematic gold. Why are women from a region often seen as “deprived” thriving in one of the hardest industries for women? We’ll explore the history, celebrate their incredible work, and unpack how their stories shine through despite the odds—and what the rest of the world can learn from their creative resilience.

Speaker: Sally Zarzour

Women at War: Exploring the work of female conflict journalists

16:00-16:45, NFT2

2024 saw the release of Ellan Kuras' Lee, Alex Garland's Civil War, and Lucy Lawless' documentary Never Look Away – each paying homage to the work of female conflict photographers. What picture can the female perspective offer in an increasingly violent and turbulent world? Join Dr. Sarah Collier in conversation with journalists Arwa Damon and home-grown talent, to discuss their celebrated careers, and to explore how women's conflict photography can shape our understanding of war and displacement in these uncertain times.

Host: Dr. Sarah Collier

Speakers: Arwa Damon, Leslie Knott

Leaning Over The Ironing Board: Filming Working-Class Femininity in Britain

16:15-16:45, NFT3

Integral to British cinema history, “kitchen-sink realism” is a genre conspicuously absent of kitchens, sinks, or women with legible inner lives, dreams, or desires. This talk will urge a smashing-up and repurposing of the kitchen sink, and begin to narrate a history of the female filmmakers that have long been doing exactly that. From The White Bus, to Chewing Gum, to Bhaji on the Beach, it will offer a potted history of working-class femininity on screen – as put there by working-class women themselves.

Speaker: Jennifer Jasmine White

The Big Woman with a Movie Camera Quiz!

17:00 – 18:00, Blue Room

Know your Coppola from your Campion? Your Denis from your Dash? Well round up a team, because we are wrapping up the summit with a good old-fashioned quiz. The rounds will range from easy-peasy to a-little-knowledge-helps but will mainly be about having a good time and celebrating women in film and television. And of course, there will be prizes!

Hosts: Kim Sheehan, Ruby McGuigan

Messy Collective Presents: A classic Messy Party to welcome the new year

18:00-22:00, Bar

Don't miss out on a classic Messy Collective party - a space to unwind after the day's events. This is a night for people who hate networking events, intended for filmmakers and film-lovers to meet, to connect, to vent, or to celebrate with - and maybe even to meet some future collaborators. Come for the company, stay for the wine!

 

All-day activities

Collage Corner

11:00 – 17:00, Foyer

Looking for a creative yet calming pastime? A craft that’s easy yet experimental? No matter your experience, pull up to our Collage Corner and tear into some magazines, brochures and posters, and create a unique masterpiece to take home.

Vision Board Workshops

11:00 – 17:00, Foyer

As part of Collage Corner, stop by and create a vision board with T A P E Collective! A vision board is a collection of images and words that represent your vision of the future – your hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations for the year ahead. Get crafty while manifesting for 2025!

Access Information

We will be offering live captions for all events taking place in NFT3. Please note that, due to screen content, the live captions will be cropped to three lines and readability may be impaired. Captions will also be available to view on your smart device on the day via a QR code, which can be found on signage around NFT3 and on the screen between events.

There will be a designated quiet space available throughout the day, and staff on hand to support any needs or issues which arise. If you have specific access requirements you would like to flag, or want more information, please contact [email protected].