At this year’s prestigious Cannes Film Festival, L’Oréal Paris commemorates a milestone with the fifth edition of its Lights on Women’s Worth Award. This initiative reflects the brand’s commitment to empowering women in cinema, a cause championed by Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, the global brand president. L’Oréal Paris has been closely aligned with the festival, marking its partnership with 28 sessions designed to elevate the status of women in the film industry. Despite some advancements, the statistics reveal a troubling landscape: only 17% of women direct top-grossing films, while just 25% hold significant behind-the-scenes roles. To challenge this gender disparity, the award celebrates a talented female director from both the Short Film category and the La Cinef student film category, which are included in the festival’s official selection.
This year, none other than Viola Davis—a renowned actress and one of the few to achieve EGOT status by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—served as a juror for the award. Davis follows in the footsteps of Elle Fanning and Kate Winslet, both of whom previously lent their star power to this cause. In a compelling statement, Davis articulated the deeper implications of supporting women filmmakers, emphasizing that this initiative goes beyond mere opportunity. It is about ensuring their diverse stories resonate globally, reflecting the multifaceted experiences that shape our world. The importance of such representation cannot be overstated, especially in an era when narratives and role models heavily influence perceptions of women in society.
Delphine Viguier-Hovasse elaborated on the significance of the award by highlighting the achievements of previous nominees, including Aleksandra Odic, Mai Vu, Fatima Kaci, and Viv Li. Collectively, these remarkable women have participated in 220 film festivals and have won 50 awards, demonstrating the transformative potential of this recognition. The laureates receive not just accolades but also financial support and coaching — vital resources that can assist them in advancing their careers in the competitive film industry. In a proud moment, Viguier-Hovasse shared the exciting news that Aleksandra Odic is embarking on her first feature film, showcasing how such initiatives can lead to tangible outcomes and pave the way for future storytelling.
The Lights on Women’s Worth ceremony is set to take place on May 23, and it promises to be a star-studded event. Among the expected attendees are L’Oréal Paris ambassadors like Jane Fonda, Helen Mirren, and Simone Ashley. The festival, running from May 23 to 24, will also spotlight the anniversaries of long-time ambassadors Andie MacDowell and Eva Longoria, who have been integral to the brand for four decades and two decades, respectively. Viguier-Hovasse remarked on the profound impact of the award, stating that it serves as a game-changer not only for the brand but for all women in cinema. The empowerment of female directors, she insists, plays a crucial role in shaping society’s collective vision.
Viguier-Hovasse described the Lights on Women’s Worth Award as an integral part of L’Oréal Paris’ broader mission to uplift women. This mission is encapsulated in a pyramid model of initiatives that span from grassroots actions like the Stand Up Against Street Harassment program to more prominent endeavors such as the For Women in Science initiative. By promoting female voices in cinema and beyond, L’Oréal aims to ensure that society is enriched by diverse perspectives and experiences. She emphasized the urgent need for female representation in film, highlighting its essential role in shaping self-perception and societal roles among young women.
Complementing these efforts is L’Oréal Paris’ collaboration with Women’s Earth Alliance, dedicated to fostering women’s entrepreneurship in sustainability. This partnership, along with an annual fashion show in Paris, aims to showcase the diversity and solidarity of women—a reflection of the brand’s core values. Viguier-Hovasse proudly branded L’Oréal Paris not just as a feminine brand but also as a feminist one, aligning with values of empowerment and transformation. The recent hiring of Harold James as the new global makeup artist further underscores this mission, as he is tasked with championing women and helping them become the best versions of themselves. Looking ahead, both Viguier-Hovasse and the brand have ambitious plans to continue this momentum, including potential future projects that will explore and elevate women’s worth in cinema and the arts.