Girls On Film

Philippa Lowthorpe, the writer-director behind H is For Hawk, and the film’s star, Claire Foy, join Anna Smith to discuss the moving adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s hit memoir, co-starring Brendan Gleeson, Denise Gough, Lindsay Duncan and Sam Spruell. Philippa speaks frankly to Anna about the film’s poetic embodiment of the experience of grief, which produces a story that is both powerful and inspiring. Claire and Philippa discuss the process of collaboration, and consider how the on-set dynamics allowed for an element of freedom in Claire’s performance. Claire’s embodiment of Helen is represented beautifully by Philippa, whose documentary background informed her process of capturing the moment. No film made with live, wild animals is without its challenges, and Claire and Philippa speak to Anna about the incredible experience of working with hawks on set, Claire’s own personal reflections of working with them, and the intense, ethical falconry techniques and training involved. Finally, Philippa and Claire discuss bringing the role of Helen to life in all her messy complexity with the support of the film’s producer Dede Gardner.

This episode is in partnership with Lionsgate.
H is For Hawk is in select UK cinemas on 23 January.
Philippa Lowthorpe has also appeared on episodes 28 and 145 of Girls On Film, when she attended the Girls On Film Awards.

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold
Intern: Ruby Bradshaw
Audio Editor: Benjamin Cook
Principal Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith

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Kate Hudson joins Anna for an exclusive, in-depth conversation about her leading role in the film Song Sung Blue, an inspiring true story about a Neil Diamond tribute act, directed by Craig Brewer and co-starring Hugh Jackman. She shares the joys and challenges of taking on the role of Clare, a complex real-life character who has a dramatic journey.

Kate talks frankly about the film’s exploration of mental health, about the responsibilities of playing a real character, and about the importance of maintaining a happy film set: something she and Hugh Jackman both feel strongly about.
She shares how the love story personally inspired her and gives the inside track on the song recordings. Having been Oscar-nominated for Almost Famous in 2000, Kate talks about being in the awards conversation in 2026 alongside actresses she adores. She also shares how she feels about body image and women ageing in Hollywood.

This episode is in partnership with Song Sung Blue.

Song Sung Blue is in UK Cinemas now.

You can also hear Kate Hudson on episode 134 of Girls On Film, talking about Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

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Anna Smith goes behind the scenes on one of the biggest films of the year, and one of the biggest contenders in film awards season: WICKED: FOR GOOD.
This sequel to WICKED came to our cinema screens in late November and Anna is thrilled to sit down with four women who helped create both films, which are a key influence in shaping the lives of young viewers today.

Anna talks first with Screenwriter Dana Fox and Casting Director Tiffany Little Canfield, and then with DOP Alice Brooks ASC, and Hair & Make-Up Designer Frances Hannon. They speak about collaboration, female empowerment, the intricacies of their jobs and about working with the whole crew, including director Jon M Chu and co-writer Winnie Holzman.

Tiffany, Alice and Frances were all shortlisted for the Oscars the day before this podcast was published.

This episode is in partnership with WICKED: FOR GOOD

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.
Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold
Assistant Producer: Negin Nia
Intern: Tallulah Treadaway
Audio Editor Extraordinaire: Benjamin Cook
Thanks to Girls On Film principal partners Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer

© HLA Agency

In this episode of Girls On Film, we speak with Laura Mulvey, British feminist film theorist, filmmaker, and Patron of Girls On Film, who was awarded the prestigious BFI Fellowship in November.

Laura has curated a selection of Big Screen Classics running throughout December 2025 at London’s BFI Southbank, featuring titles such as Morocco, Man with a Movie Camera, and Through the Olive Trees. A wonderful opportunity to revisit, or discover, these influential films.

And in the episode we introduce a new category in the 2026 Girls On Film Awards: The Girls On Film Award for Best Editing sponsored by DISAUTHORITY.

Anna chats with Maria Shevtsova, Vice President of DISAUTHORITY and Head of DISAUTHORITY Originals, about the award category, and the exciting partnership. The 2026 awards will take place on February 2nd, and we’re delighted to celebrate this new addition.

Thank you to Lilac Grove Entertainment for partnering with us on this episode.

Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast

Follow us on socials:
www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/
www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod
www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno

Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold
Producer: Negin Nia
Intern: Ruby Bradshaw
Audio Editor: Benjamin Cook
Principal Partners: Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer

© HLA Agency

In this live episode of Girls On Film, host Anna Smith sits down with the extraordinary women behind THE THING WITH FEATHERS, a moving new feature film adapted from Max Porter’s award-winning novel.

Recorded at an exclusive Girls On Film screening of the film on 18 November at Vue West End in London, Anna speaks with:
Lucy Sullivan: artist, author, and comic book creator
Nicola Hicks: acclaimed sculptor and designer of Crow
Leah Clarke: one of producers with THE THING WITH FEATHERS
Tahra Zafar: who worked on creature and costume effects

Together, they delve into the unique challenges women face in their respective fields, reflect on the artistic processes that shape their work, and celebrate the power of creative communities in sustaining and inspiring their careers.

Directed by Dylan Southern and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Vinette Robinson, and David Thewlis, THE THING WITH FEATHERS is a lyrical exploration of love, loss, and the mysterious ways we heal.

A huge thank you to Vue Lumiere for partnering on this event, and to everyone who joined us for this live conversation.

THE THING WITH FEATHERS is released in select UK cinemas on 21 November 2025.
Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast

Follow us on socials:
www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/
www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod
www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno
Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.
Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold
Producer: Negin Nia
Intern: Ruby Bradshaw
Audio Editor: Jack Howard
Principal Partners: Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer
Podcast Cover: @charleston51

© HLA Agency