16 DAYS 16 FILMS RETURNS FOR 2024.

THE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION LAUNCHES WITH SUPPORT FROM ADVOCACY PARTNERS UN WOMEN, GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE, UK SAYS NO MORE, VOICE OF CHANGE AND TIMES UP UK in association with THE DDA GROUP.

  • 16 DAYS 16 FILMS, the organisation which shines a light on female filmmakers and gender based violence returns for its seventh edition with expansion into new global territories

  • Submissions for 2024 edition opens on 8th March, International Women’s Day

  • Global communications agency The DDA Group joins for the first year with financial and professional support

(London, UK, Wednesday 6th March 2024) – Today, the short film initiative, 16 DAYS 16 FILMS is proud to confirm the return of its annual short film festival and competition for 2024. Having launched in 2018 the festival is now in its seventh year, and returns with the continued aim to empower female filmmakers and address all forms of violence against women on a global scale. For the first time, the festival will be hosted in association with global communications agency The DDA Group, as well as annual advocacy partners UN Women, Geena Davis Institute, UK Says No More, Voice of Change and Times Up UK.

Johanna von Fischer & Ginta Gelvan, 16 DAYS 16 FILMS founders, said: “We are excited to bring 16 DAYS 16 FILMS back again for 2024. It is incredibly apt that we open submissions with our special event on International Women’s Day as we continue to address the issue of violence against women on a global scale with the support of some incredible partners and organisations, including this year’s addition of The DDA Group.”

Vicky Tupper, Director of Film at The DDA Group, said: “The work that 16 DAYS 16 FILMS has done over the last six iterations has been nothing short of ground-breaking and we are proud to be able to lend the full weight of DDA’s backing to enable Johanna, Ginta and the team to continue and grow their work in what is a vital vehicle for necessary change.”

Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief, Ending Violence against Women and Girls Section at UN Women, said: “International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate women’s achievements as well as to reflect upon the persisting barriers to global gender equality. UN Women is proud to partner with 16 DAYS 16 FILMS to champion female filmmakers whilst also highlighting the most pervasive violation of human rights, violence against women which is also the most significant barrier to gender equality. Through this collaboration we aim to elevate awareness of the diverse manifestations of violence against women and girls through the compelling force of film.”

Dame Heather Rabbatts, Chair, Time’s Up UK said: "Time’s Up UK have been proud supporters of 16 DAYS 16 FILMS for many years and shares its vision to champion female filmmakers and to tell story that help shape a world free from violence. We know that violence against women in all its forms is one of the greatest violations of human rights that exists in the world today and we stand together with the team at 16 DAYS 16 FILMS, with UN Women and the Geena Davis Institute on this International Women’s Day to call for an to end all forms of violence”.

To celebrate the announcement of the 2024 festival, 16 DAYS 16 FILMS are set to host a special International Women’s Day event in London in association with UN Women, BFI Inclusion, Times Up UK & The DDA Group on 8th March. The event will welcome the winners of 16 DAYS 16 FILMS 2023, Lorena R. Valencia’s “Dandelion (Cuanacaquilitl)”, Ciara Kerr’s “Homemaker”, Jo Smyth’s “Smile” and Alice Johannessen’s “Barricade”, back to London to screen their film’s to audiences once more.  

Founded in 2018, 16 DAYS 16 FILMS raises awareness for ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence’ and runs from 25th November to 10th December, between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day. It looks to platform female filmmakers and their films which explore, emote and educate on all forms of violence against women.

The festival is open to submissions from female identifying filmmakers from the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, USA and for the first time in the festival’s history, Argentina and Nigeria. Sixteen films will be selected by a nomination panel, with one film released each day of the 16 Days of Activism, and a winner will be chosen by an independent jury with an Audience Award open to a public vote. Submissions are open from today and will close on 1st October.

Previous finalists of 16 DAYS 16 FILMS short film festival include BAFTA nominated Molly Manning Walker, Director of How To Have Sex, and Adura Onashile, Director of Girl. 

You can find out more about 16 DAYS 16 FILMS at www.16days16films.com

Images for the winning films of 16 DAYS 16 FILMS 23 can be found HERE

@16days16films #EndVAW #16daysofactivisim #16days16films

For further press information please contact:

vicky.tupper@ddapr.com 

ebba.blakeborough-tait@ddapr.com


ABOUT 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual campaign, which has run since 1991, and has 164 countries and 3,700 organisations involved. It uses the 16 days between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25th November) and International Human Rights Day (10th December) to reinforce that eliminating all forms of violence against women is a human rights issue, and that the act of perpetrating violence against women is a human rights violation.

Find out more on https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism

ABOUT THE DDA GROUP 

DDA is the leading global entertainment communications agency, with offices in Los Angeles and London, offering a bespoke service and truly global reach for festivals, networks, platforms, producers, distributors, financiers, government organisations, and brands.  

DDA’s unrivalled knowledge of the entertainment industry adds undisputed value as a trusted partner for its clients. With deep-rooted industry and media contacts, as well as dedicated teams on the ground at all major industry markets, festivals, and conventions worldwide, DDA’s international reach and experience in publicity is unparalleled. We provide creative and insightful strategies, tailored campaign solutions, and a ‘round-the-clock’ service across all the agency’s lines of business, which includes International Publicity, Corporate Communications, Festival Publicity, Digital/Social, Design, Event Management, and Awards & Special Projects.  For more info visit https://www.theddagroup.com/  

ABOUT UN WOMEN

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. 

ABOUT GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE

GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE - Founded in 2004 by Two-Time Academy Award Winning Actor Geena Davis, the Institute is the only global research-based organisation working collaboratively within the entertainment industry to create gender balance, foster inclusion and reduce negative stereotyping family entertainment media.


ABOUT UK SAYS NO MORE

UK SAYS NO MORE seeks to unite and strengthen a diverse community of members and organisations nationwide to actively take a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence under one powerful, visual symbol. UK Says No More is home to Safe Spaces and Online Safe Spaces.

HESTIA is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and the Southeast and is the main organisation supporting victims of modern slavery in the capital. It is the home of domestic abuse and sexual violence campaign UK SAYS NO MORE and developed the Bright Sky domestic abuse app in partnership with Vodafone.

ABOUT VOICE OF CHANGE

VOICE OF CHANGE (Australia) supports art-based projects that champion meaningful education about - and action against - family violence. They believe that everyone has a role to play in preventing family violence, and that conversation and education is key. Their commissioned content serves as a therapeutic creative outlet for survivors, and as educational materials that can be used to highlight abusive behaviours, address patriarchal masculinity, and promote behavioural change.

ABOUT BRTISH FILM INSTITUTE

BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE - Founded in 1993, the BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Their mission is to support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers; to grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive; to offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through programmes and festivals — delivered online and in venue; to use their knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding of film and the moving image; and to work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries.

ABOUT TIMES UP UK

TIME’S UP UK is an organisation that insists on safe, fair and dignified work for everyone. We do this by identifying, creating and implementing significant and impactful interventions for lasting change amplifying the work of our partners and friends, by creative connections and advocacy. Our very first red carpet when we launched back in February 2018 saw us walk with activists to share the stage as we began our campaign against bullying, harassment, and abuse, which has so long been part of the DNA of our industry. From the casting couch to ‘sex sells’, women have been mistreated in front and behind the camera. 

Our work from the outset has always been one of collaboration and shared purpose, with allies, women’s organisations, and grass roots campaigns. We have acted as a convenor and partner to join forces with others to shift the dial together. No grand gestures and policy statements, but practical and meaningful intervention to push cultural change. We launched the Justice & Equality Fund in 2018 from a hugely successful crowdfund campaign which raised nearly £3m, to fund projects with one common aim, to bring an end to the culture of sexual harassment, abuse and impunity that exists in the UK by resourcing a network of advice, support, and advocacy organisations. Through the Justice & Equality Fund we were able to set up the UK’s first and only free legal advice line for women who have experienced sexual harassment delivered by Rights of Women, working with Fawcett Society and partners, Chwarae Teg, the Women’s Resource and Development Agency, and Close the Gap, we launched the Tackling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Toolkit, a free resource to help employers create workplaces where women are safe to report incidents of sexual harassment and support employers to respond appropriately – creating environments where sexual harassment does not happen
in the first place and much more: www.timesupuk.org.

“16 DAYS 16 FILMS”

THE ANNUAL ONLINE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION, EMPOWERING FEMALE FILMMAKERS AND ADDRESSING ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS FOR THE 2023 EDITION

LORENA R. VALENCIA’S “DANDELION” (Cuanacaquilitl) (Mexico) WINS THE TOP PRIZE

WITH CIARA KERR’S “HOMEMAKER” (UK) AND JO SMYTH’S “SMILE” (UK) RECEIVING THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNER-UP PRIZES

THE AUDIENCE AWARD GOES TO ALICE JOHANNESSEN’S “BARRICADE” (UK)

The finalist films are available to watch now on the online platform 16 Days, 16 Films until 24th December 2023.

Embargoed until 7.00pm GMT, London 14th December 2023: The annual short film initiative 16 DAYS 16 FILMS has today announced the winning films from the 2023 edition.

Taking the top prize is Writer/Director Lorena R. Valencia with Dandelion (Cuanacaquilitl) from Mexico. Valencia’s film tells the story of Ingrid, a teenage girl who lives in a small town in Mexico and is helped by her best friend in her search for home remedies to stop an unwanted pregnancy, undeterred by the health risks that she may face. Together they discover that in spite of the vulnerable situations society places women in, sisterhood can help them flourish.

Image from Dandelion

“Around the entire world, people are still fighting for basic rights such as making choices over their own bodies. My short film “Cuanacaquilitl” (Dandelion), aims to keep having conversations about the dangerous conditions that thousands of people with a capacity for pregnancy face practicing clandestine abortions. This film portrays, through a fiction scenario, the lives of many females around the world who lack the resources to decide over their own bodies but it’s also a film that honours the power of hope, resilience and sisterhood. “Cuanacaquilitl” comes from the Nahuatl language, venerating my roots and my ancestry, and it means “Dandelion” in English. This narrative short film is written in honour to my grandmothers who despite living in tough conditions, showed strength and resilience raising a large number of children, and it’s dedicated to all the people with a capacity for pregnancy who feel overwhelmed during these uncertain times.” Lorena R. Valencia

The first runner-up prize is awarded to Ciara Kerr’s animated musical short Homemaker, the story of Renee who loses herself in a controlling relationship, featuring Rosalie Craig. The second runner-up prize is awarded to Jo Smyth’s Smile, the story of Sue, a woman in her fifties who has to navigate the murky world of misogyny and everyday sexism, and how she fights back.

Image from Homemaker Image from Smile

An independent jury selected the winners from 16 finalist films which were released each day between November 25th December 10th on 16days16films.com. This year’s independent jury included Kalliope Mingeirou, the Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section at UN-Women in New York; Madeline Di Nonno – CEO Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media; Daniel Guinness, Managing Director at Beyond EqualityGolda Rosheuvel, Actor (Bridgerton); Saffron Burrows, Actor (Enigma, Circle of Friends); Emily Atef, Director (More Than Ever, 3 Days in Quiberon); Isabella Odoffin, Casting Director (How To Have Sex); Sarah McCaffrey, Founder Solas MindPatsy Stevenson, women’s rights campaigner, writer and public speaker.

Kalliopi Mingeirou, the Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section at UN Women said:"UN Women is proud to stand with the 16 Days 16 Films initiative, leveraging the transformative power of film to spotlight the diverse manifestations of violence against women and girls. Through the lens of these 16 short films, we are hoping to engage a wider audience about the devastating impacts of violence against women, to convey the strength of survivors and to foster empathy. Violence against women can be prevented and we all have a role to play. We celebrate the invaluable contributions of these talented female filmmakers to shaping narratives that inspire action and change."

Jury member and star of “Bridgerton” Actor Golda Rosheuval, said :“Watching these films, you definitely get a sense it's crucial to speak out and be brave in order to address the horrors of domestic violence and violence against women. Creating films that shed light on these issues can be a powerful way to raise awareness and initiate change. The 16 days 16 films festival provides a platform for women to share their stories, giving them space and empowerment to come forward. Art has the ability to challenge and provoke, and sometimes discomfort and is necessary to drive meaningful transformation. Pushing back against social norms and advocating for change is essential in creating a safer and equitable world for everyone.”

This year’s Audience Award, is presented to Alice Johannessen’s Barricade.

Image from Barricade

In the days leading up to the Awards Announcement, Audience members were able to vote for the film which they felt stood out as a result of its high quality, strength of storytelling and impactful resonance. In Barricade, after experiencing a traumatic event on her school bus, Aleena bottles up her anger until a chance connection triggers a small act of rebellion.

The finalist films are available to watch now on the online platform 16 Days, 16 Films until 24th December 2023 GMT.

With the support of UN WomenUK Says No MoreVoice of Change, the Geena Davis Institute, and the BFIInclusion16 Days 16 Films is a short film competition platforming female filmmakers and their films, which explore, emote, and educate on all forms of violence against women. The 16 Days 16 Films initiative is presented by Founding Directors Johanna von Fischer and Ginta Gelvan.


This year’s 16 DAYS 16 FILMS finalists were:

Day 1 BARRICADE (UK) Alice Johannessen After experiencing a traumatic event on her school bus, Aleena bottles up her anger until a chance connection triggers a small act of rebellion. (10 mins)

Day 2 - AFTER FRED (UK) - Rachel Meyrick Charlotta’s violent marriage was brought to an abrupt end after 40 years when a shop assistant witnessed her being attacked and called it out.  Two years on she is free and, aged 82, is blossoming as a warrior advocate, supporting women decades younger than her to face the court system after making their own escapes from domestic violence. (20 mins)

Day 3 - A VERY NICE GUY (Mexico) - Minerva R. Bolaños Rodrigo Fierro, a renowned film director, is accused of rape on social media by a woman who was a member of his crew. Seeing that his future may be in danger due to the complaint, he makes a documentary to tell his version of events, trying to prove his innocence. (21 mins)

Day 4 - CERES (UK) - Amelia SearsThe story of a daughter seeking refuge from her emotionally abusive partner at the home of her estranged mother. Stars Juliet Stevenson. (15 mins)

Day 5 - WINN (USA) -  Erica Tanamachi & Joseph East After miscarrying her baby in prison due to shackling, Pamela Winn becomes an activist, leading thousands to support the Dignity Bill. "Winn" exposes the horrifying experience that incarcerated pregnant women endure and documents Pamela's mission to end shackling and ultimately prison birth. (17 mins)

Day 6 - TÃM (Australia) - Noora NiasariTâm wakes up in a strange hotel room. As she pieces together the night before, she realizes she is not alone. (12 mins)

Day 7 - DANDELION (Mexico) - Lorena R. Valencia Ingrid, a teenage girl who lives in a small town in Mexico, is helped by her best friend in her search for home remedies to stop an unwanted pregnancy, undeterred by the health risks that she may face. (17 mins)

Day 8 - MY BLONDE GF (UK) - Rosie MorrisAn awful discovery turns Helen’s life upside down. Sexually explicit deepfake images appear on a porn site, with her own face edited onto another woman’s body. (19 mins)

Day 9 - MOSQUITO LADY (USA) - Kristine GerolagaFearing the consequences of revealing her pregnancy to her parents and facing limited options amidst increasingly restrictive abortion regulations, a teenager turns to a neighbor her parents warned her about in her desperation for assistance. This decision sets off a chain of events with horrifying consequences. (14 mins)

Day 10 - …ESPERANZA (Mexico) - Mayra VelizAn elderly woman narrates how she was deceived, robbed and forced to marry her captor at the age of 19 and how, many years later, she found her freedom. (21 mins)

Day 11 - HOMEMAKER (UK) - Ciara Kerr Renee loses herself in a controlling relationship and the abuse she suffers gets worse until she is utterly trapped. (9 mins)

Day 12 - HER LAST DAY (USA) - Jiacheng Wang A woman "Meizi" with her child who has lived in domestic violence for years travels back to her past wedding with her abusive husband while facing the decision to change her marriage. (13 mins)

Day 13 - THE SKY AFTER RAIN (Australia) -  Blame the Shadows CollectiveThe story of Shaya. a queer member of the Iranian diaspora told through recorded audio interviews, spoken word poetry, and choreographed dance.

Day 14 - SMILE (UK) - Jo SmythSmile is about Sue, a woman in her fifties who has to navigate the murky world of misogyny and everyday sexism, and how she fights back. (14 mins)

Day 15 - STILL WATERS (USA) - Aurora Brachman Aurora Brachman’s touching short features her mother as she shares an unexpected and difficult moment in her childhood. (12 mins)

Day 16 - BLACKWOOL (UK) Eubha Akilade  On her first day at a high school in rural Scotland, a London teenager is targeted for her Afro hair by cocksure class bully and must harness her inner power. (15 mins)

16 Days 16 Films was launched in 2018 in partnership with female-led UK film production and distribution company, Modern Films, and UK Says No More.

16days16films.com

@16days16films

@16Days16Films

#EndVAW #16daysofactivisim #16days16films

For further press information please contact:

organic – Lisa Richards/Marine Monnier

16days16films@organic-publicity.com

Film Materials HERE

Jury Images HERE

Social Assets HERE

About 16 Days 16 Films Founders

Ginta Gelvan is co-founding director and producer of the yearly 16 Days 16 Films short film competition. Ginta co-launched the film company Modern Films highlighting female filmmakers and social issues driven stories.

Ginta comes from the fashion, luxury and entertainment world. Her expertise covers branding, PR and marketing for global brands such as Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger and Agent Provocateur.

Johanna von Fischer is co-founding director and producer of the yearly 16 Days 16 Films short film competition. Johanna has been director of the acclaimed British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) with over 15 years experience of producing the Film Awards.

Johanna began her career as an actor in independent films and theatre, now working as a creative event consultant. For Modern Films, Johanna ran Impact Campaigns for their film releases.

About 16 Days of Activism

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual campaign, which has run since 1991, and has 164 countries and 3,700 organisations involved. It uses the 16 days between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25th November) and International Human Rights Day (10th December) to reinforce that eliminating all forms of violence against women is a human rights issue, and that the act of perpetrating violence against women is a human rights violation.

Find out more on https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism

About Our Partners

UK SAYS NO MORE is the national awareness and prevention campaign for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence across the U.K. The campaign was launched by London charity Hestia in 2016. UK Says NO MORE seeks to unite and strengthen a diverse community of members of the public and organisations nationwide to actively take a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence under one powerful, visual symbol.

UN WOMEN is the UN organisation delivering programmes, policies and standards that uphold women’s human rights, and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential. UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls, and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life.

VOICE OF CHANGE supports art-based projects that champion meaningful education about - and action against - family violence. They believe that everyone has a role to play in preventing family violence, and that conversation and education is key. Their commissioned content serves as a therapeutic creative outlet for survivors, and as educational materials that can be used to highlight abusive behaviours, address patriarchal masculinity, and promote behavioural change.

The GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE was founded in 2004 by two-time Academy Award winning actor Geena Davis, and the Institute is the only global research-based organisation working collaboratively within the entertainment industry to create gender balance, foster inclusion and reduce negative stereotyping family entertainment media.

The BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Their mission is to support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers; to grow and care for the BFI National Archive; to offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through programmes and festivals (online and in venue); to use their knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding of film and the moving image; and to work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries.