VOWSS 2017 Names Top Works from Women Directors for First Year Honours

Cannes Lions Festival attendees stepped off the Croisette to celebrate diversity in a new way - by moving behind the talking to honouring the best work and the women creators behind it. VOWSS 2017, a collaboration between SheSays, The Voice Of A Woman and Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity shared the best short form films and ad work directed by women.

 

The showcase screened 27 short form videos, including 11 films and 16 ads from female directors and creative directors from around the world. The short films were selected by a renowned jury of leaders in advertising and film from over 200 international submissions. Work from industry leaders such as Madonna Badger, Amelia Hashimi, MJ Delaney, Vicky Maguire and many more.

 

Following the screening, VOWSS founders, Laura Jordan Bambach and Maureen A. Bryan presented the VOWSS 2017 award to the best works in direction and creative direction:

 

 Creative Direction: Alice Tonge, Creative Director of “We Are the Superhumans” for Channel 4

 Film Direction: The Mundo Sisters - Rena Mundo Coshere and Nadine Mundo - directors of “A Field Between” for Film 45 and CNN Films

 

Additionally, a special Student award was given to Naomi Taylor, student at the School of Communication Arts, 2.0, recognising her as an emerging creative talent.

 

Laura Jordan Bambach, co-founder of VOWSS, founder of SheSays and CCO at Mr. President said, “We were overwhelmed by the quantity and high calibre of submissions we received for our inaugural showcase. What’s clear from creating the VOWSS is that there’s a massive demand from women to be recognized for their work and creative genius. VOWSS has shown us that work by women isn’t limited to telling women’s stories. The work can share a different point of view or come from a different place of experience. And this diversity of work is crucial to evolve our global perspectives.”

 

Maureen A. Bryan, CEO and Founder of The Voice of A Woman Film Festival (VOW) added, “For years VOW has been screening the works of women directors from around the world as part of our yearly festival in London and New York and to now bring our work to the advertising world has proven great. We have been overwhelmed by the works submitted by creative women from around the world and the excitement and enthusiasm shown. We’ve curated a great programme of works by women directors and creative directors from around the world.”

 

The VOWSS is a partnership between The Voice Of A Woman Film Festival (VOW) and SheSays (SS), and has been supported by London-based independent creative agency Mr. President, creative media group Rise and Facebook Creative Shop as headline sponsors with additional support from WAVE Studios and Digital Doughnut.

 

The Mundo Sisters, winners of the film direction award for VOWSS shared, “We are incredibly honored to have received this VOWSS award for film direction. We truly believe that with visibility comes opportunity and this recognition means everything. As women directors we are acutely aware of the small number of women who get hired to direct films. It is our hope that our industry starts to see the phenomenal value in the female perspective.”

 

Alice Tonge, Head of Creative & Design, 4Creative at Channel 4, the winner of the inaugural creative direction award for VOWSS, commented, "There are so many reasons why I’m ridiculously excited to be receiving this award. For its recognition of the ‘We’re the Superhumans’ campaign and its 140 incredible disabled stars. For championing female talent in the industry. And for reassuring me that after 9 months of maternity leave, the industry hasn’t forgotten about me! If the experience of making this campaign has taught me anything, it’s that a ‘Yes I Can’ attitude can help you overcome pretty much anything. So whether you’re a single mother with no arms raising a child, or you’re a woman in a wheelchair playing basketball at the Rio Paralympics, being superhuman is a state of mind. And so to all those female creatives who are trying to crack the industry, take inspiration from the Superhumans, yes you can!”