16 DAYS 16 FILMS today announces the winners for this year’s short film festival.
The winning film ‘We Did Not Consent’, directed by Dorothy Allen-Pickard (UK), with first runner up prize going to ‘Nine Days in August’ by Ella Knorz (Germany). The second runner up prize has been awarded to ‘Batsheba’, directed by Myah Asha Jeffers (UK) and the winner of the Audience Award, voted for by the public, goes to ‘Safe’, directed by Debbie Howard (UK).
Ginta Gelvan and Johanna von Fischer – Founding Directors 16 Days 16 Films commented, ‘We are proud to present this year’s winners chosen from an extraordinary and diverse list of finalists. Each of these films show a powerful story, told from a unique point of view, by an original voice. We hope our platform continues to widen the audience for these stories and the talent behind them; and we can’t wait to see what each of these filmmakers do next.’
This year’s Jury included actress/writer Zawe Ashton, Tabitha Morton (Executive Director at UN Women UK), EVP, Head of Creative at Maven Screen Med Jenny Halper, Juliet Kirby (Producer for Aluna Entertainment), actress/writer and activist Sarah Solemani, Liza Marshall (Producer for Hera Pictures), Yarit Dor (Intimacy Coordinator and Movement Coach), Director Soudade Kadaan, Koye Adeboye (UN Spotlight Initiative), and writer, broadcaster and host of Sex Talks, Emma-Louise Boynton.
On joining the 2024 jury, Zawe Ashton commented “Cinema has the unique ability to foster empathy, raise awareness, and catalyze important conversations. I’m honored to be a part of an event that aims to leverage this transformative medium to drive progress on critical issues facing women. By showcasing this powerful and impactful work, we can inspire change, challenge societal norms, and take meaningful steps towards ending the epidemic of violence against women.”
Tabitha Morton, Executive Director UN Women UK commented, “I am honoured to support 16 DAYS 16 FILMS, an initiative that aligns so profoundly with UN Women UK’s mission to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. The stories told through these films, whether they educate, provoke, or inspire, are vital in driving cultural and social change. We are championing the talent of women in film while also rallying global audiences to join the fight for equality and justice. The statistics alone should motivate us but we know storytelling has the power to move hearts and drive change, telling stories of women too often forgotten or dismissed. Together, we can create a future free from gendered violence”.
The initiative was launched in 2018 by founding directors Johanna von Fischer and Ginta Gelvan and continues with the support of UN Women, UK Says No More, Equimundo, Voice of Change, the Geena Davis Institute, and Times Up UK. This year, global communications agency DDA have joined as a key supporter of the programme alongside these returning ambassadors. The following filmmakers and works made up the 2024 festival programme:
‘261’ – Juliette Henry (France) / ‘Nine Days in August’ – Ella Knorz (Germany) / ‘Bathsheba’ – Myah Asha Jeffers (UK) / ‘Grown’ – Jamila Meloche (USA) / ‘Homesick’ – Maja Bresink (Germany) / ‘Liminal Roots’ – Aliyah Harfoot (UK) / ‘Na Savi’ – Sofia Ayerdi (Mexico) / ‘Peripeteia’ – Tracy Kiryango (UK) / ‘Safe’ – Debbie Howard (UK) / ‘Ser Semilla’ – Julia Granillo Tostado (Mexico) / ‘She Came to Me’ – Saffron Burrows (USA) / ‘Swim and Float’ – Janina Lutter (Germany) / ‘Three Wishes. One Truth.’ – Cecilia Petrujno (Argentina) / ‘To Hold My Love’ – Elettra Giunta, Adam Othman (UK) / ‘We Did Not Consent’ – Dorothy Allen-Pickard (UK) / ‘Winds of Silence’ – Radha Mehta (USA)
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.
Each year, the festival takes in 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 were selected by a nomination panel, with one film released each day of the 16 Days of Activism, and a winner is chosen by the independent jury with an Audience Award open to a public vote.
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 16days16films.com
