CharactHer: empowering all talents in the film and media industries - Safia Kessas

The latest portrait of CharactHer is one of Safia Kessas, a Belgian journalist whose documentary “The Price of Folly” competed for PRIX EUROPA 2020.

CharactHer: Safia Kessas

The European Commission & Collectif 50/50, a French organisation advocating parity and diversity in the audiovisual industry, launched a campaign entitled CharactHer: empowering all talents in the film and media industries during the Cannes Film Festival.

Gender equality in the European film and media industries is still far from being achieved. In addition to the obstacles women may encounter throughout their careers, a well-known factor for these persistent imbalances resides in the fact that certain sectors are still considered to be predominantly or exclusively “masculine”.
The impact of such views has sustained widespread practice of self-censorship, discouraging some women from pursuing a wide range of jobs.
The CharactHer campaign aims at debunking these stereotypes: there is no such thing as a “masculine” job – women can do anything!
The film and media industries offer a wide range of professional opportunities that require a variety of different competences. If you’re ambitious, determined and passionate, there may be a job for you, no matter your gender or origin!

The campaign highlights 12 European women professionals from the film and media industries, who work in careers still commonly perceived as “masculine” - ranging from music composer to stunt performer or VFX supervisor. 

As of now, 9 portraits have been released and you can watch them on the CharactHer campaign-website

You can find more information on jobs in the audiovisual- and media industries, training and media collectives existing in Europe in the CharactHer campaign-Toolkit

Social Media:

Facebook@CreativeEuropeEU / @Collectif5050

Twitter@europe_creative / @Collectif5050

Instagram@creative_eu / @lecollectif5050