SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CINEMA: CHANEL AND TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN FILMMAKERS
The CHANEL x Tribeca Film Festival collaboration continues to celebrate artistic innovation and empowerment, particularly for women filmmakers. As one of the most dynamic and impactful partnerships in the film industry, CHANEL has supported the Tribeca Festival for over two decades, bringing much-needed visibility to underrepresented voices in storytelling. This year, the focus was on the Through Her Lens: The Tribeca CHANEL Women’s Filmmaker Program, a flagship initiative that champions emerging women and non-binary filmmakers. This year the collaboration reached new heights with a series of star-studded events that highlighted the festival’s ongoing commitment to celebrating creative voices and fostering the next generation of filmmakers.
Through Her Lens Luncheon: A Celebration of Women Storytellers
The heart of the festivities began with a special lunch on June 6th at The Greenwich Hotel Courtyard, hosted by Tribeca CEO and Co-Founder, Jane Rosenthal, alongside CHANEL. The gathering celebrated the Through Her Lens program, now in its 11th year, and its evolution as one of the most vital artist development programs in the industry. The program, which provides mentorship, funding, and industry support to U.S.-based women and non-binary filmmakers, was a focal point of the event. Notable attendees included a dazzling array of industry figures, from filmmakers and actors to advocates for the arts, such as Riley Keough, Miley Cyrus, Mariska Hargitay, and Patty Jenkins.
Rosenthal opened the luncheon by reflecting on the impact of Through Her Lens since its inception, noting the significant role that CHANEL has played in its success. “This year marks over two decades of our partnership with CHANEL, and the 11th year of Through Her Lens. What began as an idea shared between two friends — myself and the brilliant Paula Weinstein — has become one of the most vital artist development programs in the industry.” She continued to praise CHANEL for their unwavering commitment to championing women filmmakers year after year.
Patty Jenkins, a member of the program’s Advisory Committee, also offered her thoughts on the importance of storytelling as a profound responsibility and the role mentorship plays in shaping the future of cinema. The luncheon was a powerful reminder of the progress that has been made—and the work still to be done—in ensuring equal representation in the film industry.
Spotlight on Emerging Filmmakers
The Through Her Lens program has made a lasting impact, producing 45 short films, many of which have gone on to premiere at prestigious festivals such as Sundance and TIFF. Eight of the nine winning filmmakers have been women of color, a testament to the program’s focus on diversity and inclusivity. The program’s alumni include some of today’s most exciting filmmakers, including A.V. Rockwell, Numa Perrier, and Nikyatu Jusu. Their success underscores the program’s role in advancing women’s voices and providing essential industry resources to help these filmmakers thrive.
The luncheon served as a reminder of the power of mentorship and the importance of programs that provide a platform for these talented women to refine their craft and showcase their work to the world. With the 2025 applications now open, Through Her Lens continues to attract new voices, offering transformative opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers.
In Process Conversation: Behind the Scenes of Female Creativity
Later that day, Tribeca and CHANEL hosted a fascinating conversation at Metrograph featuring actor, writer, and director Riley Keough, alongside her creative partner, Gina Gammell. The panel, titled In Process, explored the creative journey behind their upcoming limited series, In Process, which draws inspiration from Through Her Lens. The discussion was moderated by Australian-Chinese filmmaker Margaret Zhang, who brought unique insights into the collaborative process and the importance of openness in creative endeavors.
Keough, a CHANEL ambassador, reflected on her experience working on the project, sharing, “Filmmaking is such a messy experience, and you have to embrace the messiness because that’s what makes the process so real.” The conversation delved into the role of mentorship, with Keough and Gammell acknowledging how mentorship programs like Through Her Lens are crucial in guiding filmmakers, particularly women and non-binary creatives, through the complex and often daunting world of cinema.
The In Process panel provided an intimate look at the creative process, the challenges filmmakers face, and the essential role of mentorship in empowering the next wave of storytellers. It was an enlightening exploration of the messiness and beauty of filmmaking, offering invaluable lessons for aspiring filmmakers.
Chanel’s Ongoing Commitment to Artistic Development
Beyond Through Her Lens, CHANEL has long been a patron of the arts, recognizing the crucial role of artists in shaping culture and society. The Tribeca Festival and CHANEL partnership, which dates back to 2005, underscores the brand’s commitment to nurturing independent voices in the creative fields. This collaboration ensures that the future of filmmaking will be inclusive, diverse, and representative of a wide array of experiences and perspectives.
The Through Her Lens luncheon and panel discussions mark just a small part of CHANEL’s year-round efforts to support women filmmakers, providing them with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to succeed in the highly competitive film industry. The brand’s support goes beyond the festival, helping to ensure that women’s voices in cinema are heard and celebrated year-round.
The 18th Annual Tribeca Festival Artist Dinner
On June 9, 2025, CHANEL continued its tradition of honoring the intersection between visual art and filmmaking with the 18th Annual Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner at The Odeon in New York City. This prestigious event recognized artists who have contributed original works to the Tribeca Festival, further illustrating CHANEL’s commitment to supporting creativity in all forms.
Guests included luminaries from the worlds of film, fashion, and the arts, such as Robert De Niro, Sofia Coppola, Jon Hamm, and Allison Janney, as well as a host of influential artists. The dinner highlighted the importance of art in filmmaking, with a special focus on the vital role that visual artists play in enhancing the storytelling experience.
In keeping with CHANEL’s legacy of supporting artists and creatives, the evening was a celebration of the enduring spirit of cultural innovation that the Tribeca Festival and CHANEL have cultivated together for nearly two decades.
For more information on the Through Her Lens program and to apply, visit Tribeca Film.
