The Female Quotient, a community working to achieve workplace equality, has brought The Girls’ Lounge, a community of women entrepreneurs and corporate women to the Sundance Film Festival. “Media helps shape culture and how we see ourselves, yet equality is far from reality in Hollywood,” said Shelley Zalis, founder and CEO of The Female Quotient. “Bringing more visibility to women in film and increasing the number of female storytellers, directors, producers and more in Hollywood will help change the equation. We’ve partnered with Screenvision Media and Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker to create a home of equality at the Sundance Film Festival, where Hollywood leaders and influencers meet, to advance positive solutions for change.”
During the two-day event, the lounge has hosted filmmakers, artists, cinema advertisers as well as entertainment and brand executives. Topics of discussion include: “The Future of Film is Feminine: What Equality Will Look Like in 2019,” “More Than A Movie: Meaningful Storytelling in Film and Advertising” and “Hollywood and Brands: How Gender Equality is Unifying Industries,” among others.
“The media industry and advertisers have a responsibility to help fight gendered stereotypes by accurately portraying women and girls in film and advertising,” said Christine Martino, Executive Vice President of National Advertising Sales at Screenvision Media. “Screenvision Media reaches a global audience of movie-goers around the world, and a partnership with The Female Quotient allows us to amplify our message of equality at Sundance and to the global advertising industry.
“Just as people are demanding more diversity and inclusivity in the media they consume, they are looking to connect with brands who share those values,” said Sophie Kelly, Senior Vice President of Whisky at Diageo North America. “The Johnnie Walker brand has stood for progress for nearly 200 years, and we know you can’t credibly stand for progress without supporting women’s progress. We are proud to join The Female Quotient in celebrating the strides we are making together towards gender equality, and we are grateful for the opportunity to advance the parity conversation during Sundance.”
