Black Womxn in Cannes is a powerful example of community-building in an exclusive space. By prioritising accessibility, inclusivity, and connection, it challenges industry norms and creates networks that help Black women thrive. The event’s success highlights the need for more spaces where Black women’s contributions in film are celebrated and amplified.
Overview
Black Womxn in Cannes is a community-building initiative designed to address the systemic underrepresentation and marginalisation of Black women within the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Founded with the intention of creating a space where Black women can thrive, connect, and be celebrated, the event has grown into a powerful, intersectional, and inclusive platform for those working in the film industry.
Challenge
Cannes, one of the most renowned film festivals in the world, has historically offered limited visibility and opportunities for Black women in the industry. Over the past 78 years, only two Black women have been featured in the festival’s competition, underscoring a glaring gap in representation. This lack of visibility highlights the urgent need for spaces where Black women can not only exist but flourish in an environment that has traditionally excluded them.
Intervention
Black Womxn in Cannes was created as a direct response to this lack of inclusion, aiming to:
- provide a platform for Black women to network, collaborate, and be celebrated for their contributions to the film industry
- foster a community that is joyous, abundant, empowering, and focused on amplifying the voices of Black women
- offer a safe, celebratory space that helps Black women thrive in an exclusive and often alienating festival environment
- celebrate and spotlight Black women working in film, elevating their visibility in a space that typically marginalizes them
- create a sustainable network that encourages collaboration, enhances visibility, and supports career progression for Black women in the industry
Practical steps we took
Inclusivity
At the time we used the term “womxn” to reflect a space open to trans and non-binary people and, although consensus on this term may have changed, the intention to include all marginalised genders remains. Black women are prioritised, but allies are welcome through self-selection, ensuring respect.
Collaboration and partnership
Working with Diversity in Cannes, The British Blacklist and Times Up UK to widen reach and elevate their brands in Cannes.
Accessibility
Invitations are clear, with large fonts and can be forwarded by invitees. Venues are cost-effective and chosen for capacity, though accessibility in Cannes remains challenging.
Affordability
Events in Cannes can be cost-prohibitive so we chose a more affordable venue to accommodate as many attendees as possible.
Community-first mindset
No formal guest list. The space is intentionally open and non-gatekept, with data protection practices in place for the internal community database.
Ongoing support
Attendees are added to a mailing list for funding opportunities, panels, and industry events, extending support beyond the event itself.
Results and impact
The event has seen overwhelming support and engagement, with many individuals reporting that the space provided them with the community and validation they had been missing. One attendee shared that she was considering leaving the industry due to burnout, but after attending the event, she felt renewed and stayed in the industry because of the support and energy from the other attendees.
Over-subscribed event
The high demand for participation in Black Womxn in Cannes underscores the need for spaces like this in the industry.
Community building
The event has proven successful in fostering long-lasting connections, with many attendees continuing to collaborate on projects after meeting at the event.
Partnerships and legitimacy
The initiative has garnered credibility through its association with the BFI (British Film Institute), further legitimising the work of Black women in the film industry and advocating for their inclusion at international festivals.
Building on last year, there was a real joyful atmosphere and more international connections were made between British talent and international talent. There was heartfelt sense of community and purpose and celebration of being at Cannes. The sense of "belonging" and "celebration" as women of colour in the industry is unquantifiable - thank you so much.”Participant from Black Womxn in Cannes
Deep dive
One attendee told us that they were considering leaving the industry before attending this event in 2024 as they had been struggling with feeling isolated and unrepresented. The community they discovered at the lunch in Cannes, helped them to feel a part of the industry and ultimately lead them to continue working in film. They have been a regular attendee ever since.
Continued advocacy and next steps
We have committed to hold this space annually as it has become an anticipated and sought after event that participants specifically make the trip to Cannes to attend. We have also tried to extend our reach by holding a partner event at the BFI London Film Festival every year to try and give this community further opportunity to meet. Support is also given to Diversity in Cannes for them to build the Black Womxn Cannes brand in their annual Cannes activity.
Feedback
Attendees tell us that this event is a highlight for them at Cannes and some specifically visit the festival to attend the lunch. They welcome the safer space we create, the opportunities to network and how joyful it is. We have heard that people would love us to move to a bigger space and create more capacity which we are considering but budget and the high cost of event space in Cannes is current.