Nicole Kidman honoured at Cannes for championing female filmmakers

Nicole Kidman, the Oscar-winning actress and producer who has graced the Cannes red carpet for over three decades, was awarded the prestigious Women in Motion prize by luxury group Kering at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 18. 

The honour recognised her unwavering commitment to supporting female directors and pushing for gender equality in the film industry.

Since 2017, Kidman has made good on her promise to work with a woman filmmaker every 18 months—an initiative she has surpassed by collaborating with 27 women directors over the past eight years.

At the awards event, the 57-year-old actor reflected on the pledge she made and the risks involved in changing the industry from within.
"I had to say, 'This is how I'm doing it. We'll take the risk. We're going to mentor, support, help and protect,'" Kidman shared. "The only way to do it is to actually show up and say, 'I'm here. I'll be in your film.'"

She also recalled moments where the lack of representation became impossible to ignore. "We were at a point where there was such a disparity in terms of choice, you'd wonder, 'Could a woman direct this?'" she said.

In addition to spotlighting the need for gender parity, Kidman addressed another pressing issue in the industry: ageism.
"You get to a certain age, maybe you've made a great film in your 20s that got celebrated, and then in your 40s, you haven't followed it up, or your choices didn't pan out. But you're still here, saying, 'I'm not over. Please still believe in me, invest in me."

Emphasising that talent doesn't expire, she added, "It's vital to resist ageism. There are emerging talents, yes—but also those with years of experience who've been unfairly cast aside. We need to say, 'You can have a second or even third chapter.'"

Brazilian filmmaker Marianna Brennand also received the Women in Motion Emerging Talent award at Cannes. Both she and Kidman posed for photographers after the ceremony, celebrating two generations of women changing the face of cinema.

On the work front, Kidman was last seen in Holland and is set to return in "Nine Perfect Strangers" Season 2.

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