It was such an honour to announce the new Stage 32 x Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) partnership during this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
As producer based in Australia, opportunities to connect in person with our global creative community are rare - so meeting so many incredible WIFT members face-to-face during Cannes was something I’ll truly cherish. Partnerships like this one, and the friendships and collaborations that come from them, are a powerful reminder that borders mean little when we come together to support one another.
If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to look up your local WIFTI chapter (we have over 55 chapters worldwide! --> https://www.wifti.net/membership/). And if there isn’t one in your region — reach out, we'd love to support you in starting one! WIFT India launched at Cannes this year and had a record-breaking number of signups overnight!
Let’s keep this momentum going: consider joining us for the WIFTI International Summit in Ireland in February 226 (https://www.wifti.net/wifti-launches-2026-summit/). I’d love to see a strong Stage 32 presence there as we continue the conversations and collaborations to global equity in the screen industries.
Thank you to the Stage 32 team for your ongoing support and for welcoming me so warmly at Cannes!
If you have any questions at all about WIFTI, what it's like to produce in Australia and cross-border collaboration please don't hesitate to ask!
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That's fantastic! Congratulations on the partnership, Lauren Simpson, WIFTI, and Stage 32!
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Lauren Simspon It would be especially valuable to bring a 50/50 female perspective to cinema.
It's important to look at this from the audience’s point of view — and I believe that should be part of how we communicate about this too!
Think of Shrek, The Holiday, Look Who’s Talking, Point Break, or the wonderful films of Nora Ephron.
“Did you ever wonder why we don’t see films like these anymore?”
...and the answer is .....................................................
We should also consider bringing back the kind of emotional depth and sensitivity in screenwriting that brilliant women directors express in such a unique way.
Are there any plans to develop specific production directions as part of this initiative?
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Getting to know you better was honestly one of my favorite parts of Cannes, Lauren. Your warmth, insight, and the way you champion collaboration across borders is so inspiring. This partnership between Stage 32 and WIFTI is amazing, and I can’t wait to see all the creative momentum it builds.
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Hi Lauren Simpson,I’m thrilled to hear that Cannes was such a success for you, for WIFTI, and for this vital partnership with Stage 32! Huge congratulations on this achievement, it’s a significant step forward, especially for us women in the filmmaking industry. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
I was looking into whether there’s a WIFTI chapter in Portugal or Spain, but unfortunately, there isn’t. Being in Portugal, I’ve connected with the Female Film Club in London since we lack dedicated female-supporting organizations in the Iberian Peninsula. Who knows, maybe one day!
Wishing you all the best in this exciting new chapter, and thank you for everything you do for women in filmmaking!
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Hey Patrick Kovács there are heaps of really great initiatives already out there like ReFrame (https://www.reframeproject.org/) who want all filmmakers - no matter their role - to really consider the make up of their teams and the authentic perspectives of the stories that they're telling. For us it's about connection, visibility and opportunity :)
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Hello Sandra Correia so wonderful that you joined the Female Film Club!! There is also a WIFT chapter in the UK - if you're interested in starting up a chapter in Portugal or Spain, we certainly would welcome you with open arms - there can never be too many! If you email the executive board they can help --> info@wifti.netWe have the WIFTI Summit coming up in Ireland in February 2026 - hopefully we will see you there! x
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Hey Lauren Simpson, thank you so much. I am now launching my first short film in London with FFC and BFI, and after that, I will take a look at WIFT and think about the opportunity to open a new chapter in Portugal. I will keep the email you shared. Thank you so much. Who knows if in February I'll go to Ireland? Let's see what life brings.
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This makes the platform network more robust. Congratulations to everyone!
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This is awesome - you rock, Lauren Simpson!!!