Women Making Waves at Locarno Pro

Drawn from an exciting Locarno Pro lineup, these talents – directors, producers, and industry execs – made a significant impact at Locarno and will continue to do so in the future. What makes this lineup particularly noteworthy is that nine of these talents are women, which speaks volumes about the cutting-edge innovation in Europe and beyond.

Despina Athanassiadis, France

Born in France with Greek roots, Athanassiadis is currently working on her Alliance4Development project “The Young One,” which focuses on female truck drivers. She describes it as a story of transmission from the older to the younger generation. Athanassiadis is fascinated by people who struggle and finds it compelling to watch how they solve their problems. Her next film will follow a middle-aged French woman whose life changes when she goes to Greece. It will explore inner and outer journeys and feature international characters from different countries.

Rokhaya Marieme Balde, Senegal

Balde, a filmmaker born in Dakar, has had her short films screened at IFFR and Locarno. She is currently developing her feature debut, “The Passion of Aline,” dedicated to Senegalese heroine Aline Sitoé Diatta. Balde draws inspiration from African folktales, which blur the lines between history and legend. She aims to explore diverse themes that combine the personal and the political. Balde believes that impactful art often stirs controversy and sheds light on marginalized perspectives.

Maya Barenstein, Italy

Barenstein works as a sales executive at Coproduction Office and is interested in personal voices that push the boundaries of independent cinema. She mentions filmmakers like Roy Andersson, Ruben Östlund, and Jessica Hausner, who tackle difficult topics in their films. Barenstein also emphasizes the commercial side of these films and their potential to reach international audiences. She mentions the film “Club Zero” by Jessica Hausner, which has been sold worldwide and will be released internationally in fall 2023.

Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson, U.K.

Embleton, a British-French documentary director, and Tomlinson, a photographer, collaborated on the Locarno First Look winner “Mother Vera.” The film follows the story of a young nun with a complex past. Embleton and Tomlinson directed, filmed, and recorded sound themselves, creating a unique collaboration. Embleton describes the experience as an incredible and fascinating challenge. She hopes that they have succeeded in honoring Vera and her generosity in sharing her journey with them.

Johanna Maria Paulson, Estonia

Paulson, along with Adeele Tähemaa, is considered a rising star of Estonian production. She aims to collaborate with bold talents who have a strong vision and want to reach international audiences. Paulson presented two strong projects at Locarno’s Match Me! event: the moral quandary thriller “At Your Service” and the futuristic love story “Beatrice.” She describes the feeling of watching a film she has produced in a cinema theater as an indescribable emotion.

Yifang Lee, Taiwan

Lee is developing projects such as “Goodbye North, Goodbye” and “That Burning House” by Albert Ventura and Yin-chuan Tsai. She is also completing the script for “The Day Before Tomorrow,” a horror film about a high schooler trapped in the day before her biggest exam. Lee shares her motivation for venturing into producing and mentions her company, G-Spot Entertainment. She jokes about not having to sell her flat this time and emphasizes the accessibility of the projects she brings to Locarno.

Ximena Málaga Sabogal, Peru

Málaga Sabogal, a New York School of Arts alum, co-wrote and directed “Rimana Wasi: Hogar de Historias.” The film portrays the life of a woman who embraces modernity while promoting her Indigenous roots. Málaga Sabogal beautifully depicts the woman’s ability to seamlessly switch between Quechua and Spanish and her connection to her mobile phone. The film was received rapturously at Locarno for its moving portrayal of embracing identity and heritage.

Nadine Rothschild, Spain

Rothschild, a co-founder of Barcelona-based production house Materia, is known for her energy and connections in the industry. She brought the film “Triangle of Sadness” to Locarno and was a co-producer on Laura Ferres’ debut feature “The Permanent Picture.” Rothschild’s main objective is to find strong and distinctive voices. She aims to promote projects like the documentary feature “Qui Som” and the 25-minute film “Plàncton,” which showcase unique storytelling.

Gaëtan Trigot, France

Trigot, a producer based in Paris, is known for his work at Celluloid Dreams and Pentacle Productions. His production-sales house focuses on ambitious and geographically diverse films. Trigot brought the animated documentary feature “To Live and Die with Che Guevara” to Locarno’s Match Me! event. He emphasizes the importance of diversification and constantly finding new ways to produce and showcase films.

Genésis Valenzuela, Dominican Republic

Valenzuela, along with producer Wendy P. Espinal, won multiple awards at Open Doors with their project “Three Bullets.” The film challenges authority, dominant history, and received wisdom through a hybrid storytelling approach. Valenzuela combines an investigation into a real-life murder with the broader context of colonial history and the diaspora. She sees herself as a filmmaker who reconstructs her own identity while questioning societal norms.