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Variety and Chanel hosted their annual Women in Film dinner at the Toronto Film Festival on Friday evening, bringing together some of entertainment’s most accomplished talent. The event celebrated female and nonbinary filmmakers while providing a networking opportunity for industry leaders. Notable attendees included Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, Emmy winners Sarah Paulson and Colman Domingo, and fellow Oscar winner Patricia Arquette, alongside rising stars like Ayo Edebiri and Lily-Rose Depp.
During the event, Variety co-president Ramin Setoodeh highlighted progress and persistent challenges in the industry. He noted that despite Hollywood’s strong box office performance this year, none of the top 15 films were directed solely by women. However, the current TIFF lineup demonstrates improvement, with 35 percent of the official selection directed or co-directed by women—surpassing the festival’s original 2028 goal two years early. The dinner served to highlight diverse creators, including actor-director Fala Chen and Courteney Cox, who premiered her directorial debut at the festival.
Both Variety and Chanel emphasized their commitment to supporting women in cinema. Chanel’s Women Creators’ Network, established in 2020, continues the luxury brand’s legacy of championing female artists through mentorship and development programs. This year’s fellows represent emerging voices in filmmaking, with their work expanding creative boundaries and inspiring future generations of storytellers.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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