“Lee,” directed by Ellen Klass and starring Kate Winslet, is set to open the inaugural Women’s and World International Film Festival in London, with the Oscar-winner starring at the Nov. 21 premiere. He plays Lee Miller, a battlefield photographer, and serves as an anchor.
The screening, which follows the film’s Sky Cinema release on November 1, will include a Q&A with Mr Miller’s son Antony Penrose, producer Kate Solomon and screenwriter Marion Hume. The show will be hosted by Prime Time founder and actor Victoria Emslie.
The festival, which will run from November 21st to 23rd, will be co-founded by Ukrainian producer and director Ksenia Bugrimova as co-founder, executive and creative director, and Maria Vinogradova as co-founder and festival management director. As a partnership director, she focuses on the role of women in conflict areas around the world. And sponsorship takes the lead.
The opening night lineup includes Brian Cox, Nicole Ansari Cox, Oscar-nominated director Waad Al-Khateb, Oscar-winning director Elena Andreicheva, Shabnam Nasimi, and former Commander-in-Chief Valery, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK. Also includes a panel discussion. Ms. Zarzini will speak on important topics related to armed conflict and the role of women in world history.
Sundance 2024 winner ‘Porcelain War’ leads the UK premiere of the competitive programme. Sponsored by the Ukrainian and Czech embassies in London, the event will feature documentaries and features highlighting women’s experiences in Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and other conflict zones.
Bougrimova said: “As a Ukrainian filmmaker shooting a film in a war-torn country, I would like to amplify women’s voices in film and media, especially in these difficult times when many countries are fighting for justice. Women play a variety of roles, from volunteers to actresses who play victims of violence in prison, and I want to make sure their voices are heard.”
Vinogradova added: “We believe this theme is essential right now. The arrow the woman holds in her teeth symbolizes her extraordinary power and strength, and the tears reflect the softness of her heart.”
