Girls On Film

Anna is at Italian Global Series, a festival which transforms two Northern Italian cities into the meeting place for the world’s leading television creatives.

First up, Anna is joined by multi-BAFTA winning writer, Sally Wainwright and Olivier-award winning actor, Tamsin Greig to discuss comedy-drama series, RIOT WOMEN. They explain why a TV show about five middle-aged women starting a rock band might just be the perfect way to begin a conversation about the menopause. Sally shares advice to women writers and to the industry’s gatekeepers. Tamsin suggests how today’s young actors might approach the challenge of gaining a foothold in the industry.

Anna then meets Chiara Sbarigia, President of Italy’s Audiovisual Producers Association, which is one of the festival’s organisers. Chiara talks about the festival’s genesis and the venues, history and Italian hospitality which make it so unique. Chiara also shares her experience as a woman working her way up the career ladder in Italy’s audiovisual industry.

A huge thank you to Italian Global Series for partnering on this episode.

To find out more about Italian Global Series visit the festival’s official website at
https://italianglobalseriesfestival.it/en/

You can watch RIOT WOMEN on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and BritBox in North America and across Europe.

Television and Radio Series mentioned in this episode:
STAR TREK: VOYAGER
STAR TREK: PICARD
FALLING
LA FAMIGLIA PANINI
LAURA’S TREATMENT
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
RIOT WOMEN
HAPPY VALLEY
LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX
GREEN WING
THE ARCHERS

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Girls On Film is an HLA production.
Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold
Producer: Nicki Glossop
Audio Editor: Elliana Hamer
Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw
Intern: Lucy Johnson

Partners for this episode were Italian Global Series
© HLA Agency

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This special episode of Girls On Film comes to you from Vue West End, Leicester Square. At our Q&A screening of VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY host, Anna Smith is joined by the film’s director Tina Gharavi, lead actor Haley Bennett and writer-producer Justine Waddell. Justine talks about her ‘free adaptation’ of Woolf’s 1910 novel and shining a light on Edwardian England’s forgotten female scientists.

Tina expresses gratitude for the film’s dream cast – which in addition to Haley Bennett, includes Jennifer Saunders, Timothy Spall, Jack Whitehall, Lily Allen, Misia Butler, Elyas M’Barek and Sally Phillips. She also reflects on the joys of shooting in North East England and the challenges of balancing playfulness and experimentation with the demands of script, budget and schedule.

Haley speaks of finding inspiration in her character, Katharine Hilbery’s big dreams and belief in her own instincts. Set against the backdrop of the suffragette movement the film brings into sharp focus the choices and limitations faced by early twentieth century women but also their determination to break down barriers and create new pathways.

Other films mentioned in this episode:
ELOISE AT THE PLAZA
SIXTEEN CANDLES
THE BREAKFAST CLUB

A huge thank you to Vue Lumière for partnering on this episode.

VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY is in UK cinemas from Friday 19 June 2026.
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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
Producer: Nicki Glossop
Audio Editor: Heather Dempsey
Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Bradshaw
Partners for this episode were Vue Lumière

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This episode of Girls On Film comes to you from the French Riviera. We’re here for the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Anna welcomes five guests who talk about films and feminism amid the glamour that is Cannes.

First up, Anna discusses the gender balance in some of the festival’s stand out films with film critic Sucharita Tyagi. Their discussion ranges from feminism and trans rights in the darkly comic Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma to the healing power of a canine friend in Chilean dog movie La Perra (Winner of the Palm Dog Award).

Next Anna is joined by writer-director Katharina Rivilis in Cannes with her first feature, I’ll Be Gone In June, a semi-autobiographical film in which a young woman’s exchange year in New Mexico is set against the backdrop of 9/11.

Film critic and journalist Tomris Laffly joins Anna to talk about her festival highlights including Palme D’Or Winner, Fjord, Marie Kreutzer’s Gentle Monster and comedy drama A Woman’s Life.

Finally Anna welcomes Shrimoyee Chakraborti and Parno Mittra to talk about female friendship, their passion for film and their documentary feature, Spirit Of The Wildflower, directed by Shrimoyee and exec produced by Parno. Set in rural India this film follows the lives of two siblings who unite to form a business marketing the traditional tribal drink, mahua. The film explores themes including family, community, feminism and transgender identity.

Films mentioned in this episode:
I’ll Be Gone In June
Spirit Of The Wildflower
Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma (release date Aug 21 2026)
Elephants In The Fog (Winner of Un Certain Regard Jury Prize)
Clarissa
Hope
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning (Winner of the Palm Dog Grand Jury Prize)
L’Affaire Marie-Clare (Women On Trial)
La Perra (Winner of the Palm Dog Award)
Once Upon A Time In Harlem
Fjord (Winner of the Palme D’Or)
Garance
Gentle Monster
Thelma and Louise (1991)
A Woman’s Life
Minotaure (Winner of the Grand Prix)

Girls On Film would like to thank our fabulous sponsors for their support in Cannes:
Astella Jewellery; DISAUTHORITY; Elstree Studios; Hech Nutrition; HLA Agency; IMDb; Jane Owen PR; JJDConsultancy; Lilac Grove Entertainment; Strike Media; The Members Club In Cannes; Variety.

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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
Producer: Nicki Glossop
Audio Editor: Benjamin Cook
Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw
Principal Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith Sponsors: Lilac Grove Entertainment

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Anna speaks to three women with different perspectives on the film industry. First up, director Lena Vurma and actor Olivia Vinall discuss their new film Leonora in the Morning Light, a visually glorious exploration of the life and work of artist Leonora Carrington. Lena explains what drew her to make a film about one of surrealism’s lesser-known figures whilst Olivia shares the challenges and rewards of embodying a woman whose life spanned continents and who experienced war and mental illness alongside the difficulties and joys of a career as a female artist. They talk about the film’s extraordinary locations in Mexico and the South of France and the female friendship at the heart of Carrington’s story.

In the second half of the show, Anna is joined by Jane Owen who discusses her role as founder of award-winning Public Relations company, Jane Owen PR. Jane tells us how her PR team prepares for the parties, networking and deal-making opportunities at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. She also shares her PR highlights of the last few years, and her love of old movies and the stars who made them. Jane talks about positive changes in the industry, which present opportunities for smaller indie films and shares the skills essential for success in film PR.

Leonora in the Morning Light is on general release in UK cinemas from 29th May 2026. Find further details about the film and screenings here: https://www.modernfilms.com/leonora
DIRECTORS Thor Klein & Lena Vurma
CAST Olivia Vinall, Alexander Scheer, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Ryan Gage, Istvan Teglas, Luis Gerardo Mendez

Other films mentioned in this episode:
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.5patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
Follow us on socials:
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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
Producer: Nicki Glossop
Audio Editor: Jack Howard
Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw

With thanks to Principal Partners Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith, and our sponsors for this episode, Lilac Grove Entertainment

© HLA Agency

Girls On Film: International Women’s Month – Industry Special

To bookend International Women’s Month, here is the second of two Girls On Film episodes this March that feature inspiring conversations with high‑profile industry leaders who shape the screen industries.

In this episode, we spotlight producer Pippa Harris and entertainment marketing specialist Julie La’Bassiere. They share where they started, how they rose to the top of their field, and the films that fuelled their passion. They also share the lessons they’ve learned along the way and offer empowering advice for the next generation of women ready to make their mark.

Dame Pippa Harris is one of the most influential producers working today. Co‑founder of Neal Street Productions with Sam Mendes, she is the force behind some of the most acclaimed screen stories of recent years, from the Academy Award‑winning 1917 to the beloved long‑running BBC drama Call The Midwife. This year, she’s made headlines with the acclaimed adaptation of Hamnet, as well as an ambitious upcoming series of four films about The Beatles. Her latest film, The Magic Faraway Tree, is in cinemas now and Belsen: What They Found, which Pippa executive produced, has been nominated for a BAFTA in the TV Awards (Specialist Factual).

Julie La’Bassiere is the Chief Strategy Officer at DDA, a leading international creative communications and PR agency specialising in entertainment and brand marketing. At DDA, she spearheads creative strategy across film, TV, gaming, and global brands.
Enjoy this powerful double‑bill of industry trailblazers, sharing the films that shaped them, the paths that propelled them, and the advice that will inspire the next generation of women in film.

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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
Audio Editor: Jack Howard
Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw
Principal Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith
Sponsors: Lilac Grove Entertainment

© HLA Agency