Girls On Film: International Women’s Month – Industry Special

To bookend International Women’s Month, here is the second of two Girls On Film episodes this March that feature inspiring conversations with high‑profile industry leaders who shape the screen industries.

In this episode, we spotlight producer Pippa Harris and entertainment marketing specialist Julie La’Bassiere. They share where they started, how they rose to the top of their field, and the films that fuelled their passion. They also share the lessons they’ve learned along the way and offer empowering advice for the next generation of women ready to make their mark.

Dame Pippa Harris is one of the most influential producers working today. Co‑founder of Neal Street Productions with Sam Mendes, she is the force behind some of the most acclaimed screen stories of recent years, from the Academy Award‑winning 1917 to the beloved long‑running BBC drama Call The Midwife. This year, she’s made headlines with the acclaimed adaptation of Hamnet, as well as an ambitious upcoming series of four films about The Beatles. Her latest film, The Magic Faraway Tree, is in cinemas now and Belsen: What They Found, which Pippa executive produced, has been nominated for a BAFTA in the TV Awards (Specialist Factual).

Julie La’Bassiere is the Chief Strategy Officer at DDA, a leading international creative communications and PR agency specialising in entertainment and brand marketing. At DDA, she spearheads creative strategy across film, TV, gaming, and global brands.

Enjoy this powerful double‑bill of industry trailblazers, sharing the films that shaped them, the paths that propelled them, and the advice that will inspire the next generation of women in film.

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Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Audio Editor: Jack Howard

Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw

Principal Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith

Sponsors: Lilac Grove Entertainment

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In this bumper episode, Anna speaks to four film heavyweights from across the globe. From the head of a renowned London film studio to a top Hollywood magazine publisher, these women are leaders in their respective fields and join us to discuss their remarkable career trajectories.

Anna catches up with Dea Lawrence, the Publisher and Co-President of Variety, about how she is shaping the iconic publication’s future. She also welcomes Jen Smith, the CEO of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, to talk about improving the safety of creative working environments. And she takes a trip down memory lane with old friends Rebecca Hawkes and JoJo Dye, who are brimming with rollicking stories from their early years in Cannes. They also just happen to be Head of Elstree Studios and Director of the Global Entertainment Awards, respectively.

Get ready for a masterclass in film business as each of our guests offers golden advice, taken from illustrious, decades-long careers. They also discuss the importance of female friendships and name the legendary on-screen women that inspire them.

CIISA: https://ciisa.org.uk/

Elstree Studios: https://www.elstreestudios.co.uk/

JoJo Dye: https://jjdconsultancy.com/

Variety: https://variety.com/

Marilyn Monroe’s article, recommended by Jen Smith: https://www.marilynrememberedfanclub.com/article-marilyn-monroe-wolves-i-have-known/

Films mentioned: Imitation of Life (1959), Hello Dolly, St Trinian’s, The Misfits, Mommie Dearest, Gone with the Wind

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www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Producer & Audio Editor: Elliana Jay Hamer

Social Media Producer: Dr Jade Evans

Production Assistant: Ruby Rose Bradshaw

House Band: MX Tyrants

Principle Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith

Thank you to Lilac Grove Entertainment for partnering with us on this episode.

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This episode takes you right to the heart of the Girls On Film Awards 2026. The prestigious awards attract a glittering array of guests and shine a light on the remarkable achievements of women and non‑binary creatives across the film industry.

Hosted by Girls On Film co‑founders Anna Smith and Hedda Lornie Archbold, the evening unfolds with inspiring speeches, and conversations with standout guests, showing us once more what brilliant things we can achieve if we stand together and lift each other up.

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Thanks to our wonderful presenters Ronni Ancona, Teanne Andrews, Sarah Niles, Lesley Sharp, Priya Kansara, Kerry Fox, Dame Twiggy Lawson, Hannah Onslow, Ita O’Brien, Col Needham, Maïwenn le Mouée, Blair Barnette, Meera Syal and Sally Phillips.

This episode also features Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, Autumn Durald Arkapaw ASC, Zoe Mutter, Andrea Riseborough, Idil Ahmed, Posy Sterling, Daisy-May Hudson, Nadia Fall, Suhayla El-Bushra, Nicky Bentham, Geeta Gandbhir, Jessie Buckley, Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́, Ann Akinjirin, Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, John Maclean, Jon M. Chu, Tamara Deverell, Pippa Harris and Liza Marshall.

Thanks especially to the sponsors and partners who made the event possible:

CrewHQ

DISAUTHORITY

EON Productions

IMDb

Intimacy on Set

Andrew Jose Salon

Astella Jewellers

Curzon

Elstree Studios

Lilac Grove Entertainment

Netflix

Papa Salt Gin

Stephen Webster Jewellers

Deadline

British Cinematographer magazine

DDA Global

Ask Mummy & Daddy Gourmet Confectionery

Girls on Tops

WorkWise for Screen

Thanks to our production team:

Oli Fyne - Awards producer

Charlotte Homeshaw - Sound Recordist

Claudia Vyvyan - Digital Assets Designer

Richard Gay - Videographer

Adam Southgate - Videographer

Ciaran O'Brien - Gaffer

Joanne Davidson - Photographer

Thanks to each and every one of the volunteers who helped pull it all together on the night:

Anna Penney

Blair Barnette

Elliana Hamer

Hattie Morris

Heather Dempsey

Jade Evans

Jo Rogers

Ruby Rose Bradshaw

Tallulah Treadaway

Tom Oliver Tew

Yvonne Potter

Winners in order of appearance on the podcast:

Best Composer: Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch – H is for Hawk

Best Cinematography Sponsored by CrewHQ: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC – Sinners

Best Editing Sponsored by DISAUTHORITY: Olivia Neergaard-Holm – The Chronology of Water

Best Ensemble Cast: Goodbye June

Best Female Friendship on Screen: Brides and Lollipop

Best Documentary: The Perfect Neighbor (Geeta Gandbhir)

Best Performance in a Supporting Role: Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another

Best Performance in a Leading Role: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet

Intimacy Award Sponsored by Intimacy On Set: Dreamers (Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́, Ann Akinjirin, Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor)

Ally Award Sponsored by IMDb: Jon M. Chu – Wicked: For Good

Best Production Design: Tamara Deverell – Frankenstein

Best Director: Chloe Zhao – Hamnet

Best Feature Film Sponsored by EON productions: Hamnet

Activist Impact Award: Daisy-May Hudson

Commendations:

Best Composer – Nala Sinephro – The Smashing Machine

Best Documentary – Sadie Frost – Twiggy

Ally Award – John Maclean – Tornado

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www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Credits:

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith and Hedda Lornie Archbold

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Awards Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold and Oli Fyne

Social Media Producer: Dr Jade Evans

Intern: Ruby Rose Bradshaw

Sound Recordist: Charlotte Homeshaw

Audio Editor Extraordinaire: Benjamin Cook

House Band: MX Tyrants

Principal Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith

Episode Sponsor: Lilac Grove Entertainment

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In today’s on Girls On Film we’re unpacking The Perfect Neighbor - a powerful Netflix documentary that’s up for an Oscar and a BAFTA.

It investigates the shooting of Ajike Owens, a mother of four who was beloved in her tight-knit community in Florida. Owen’s neighbour shot her in 2023, after a years-long campaign of harassment that sewed division in their shared neighbourhood. Using police body-cam footage, the documentary pieces together the events that led to this tragedy and asks important questions about what enabled it to happen.

Anna sits down with its director and producer Geeta Gandbhir to talk about the making of this tough and urgent film, why its story needs to be brought to the screen, and how filmmaking like this can be a tool for social change.

This episode is in partnership with Netflix.

The Perfect Neighbor is on Netflix now.

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Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast

Visit https://www.girlsonfilm.org.uk/ for more information about the podcast.

Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast

Follow us on socials:

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Producer: Heather Dempsey

Intern: Ruby Bradshaw

Audio editor: Alex Jones

Host: Anna Smith

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On today's Girls on Film we’re getting conspiratorial with COVER-UP - a BAFTA-nominated documentary following the career of investigative journalist Seymour Hirsch. He was an expert at exposing government corruption and scandal in the United States, and this documentary has exclusive access to him. Co-director Laura Poitras will be giving Anna the story behind the story of this thrilling film.

Laura has been three times Oscar nominated for My Country, My Country, All The Beauty and The Bloodshed, and Citizenfour—for which she won. Alongside her co-director Mark Obenhaus, she's putting another gripping story onscreen here. We talk career inspirations, the art of the expose, and how being underestimated can be a woman's secret weapon.

This episode is in partnership with Netflix.

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Producer: Heather Dempsey

Intern: Ruby Bradshaw

Audio editor: Alex Jones

Host: Anna Smith

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This episode of Girls on Film is all about Frankenstein – and we’re ‘a-live’ onstage from our special Q&A screening of Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation with its Production Designer Tamara Deverell and costume designer Kate Hawley. Our host Anna Smith sits down with these two exceptionally talented female heads of department – both of whom have been BAFTA and Oscar nominated for their work on the film – to find out how they created this movie’s extraordinary visuals. It’s based on a classic tale, over 200 years old and first written by a teenage girl – the 18-year-old Mary Shelley. Del Toro’s new take has garnered 9 Oscar nominations and 8 BAFTA nominations. We’re giving you the low down from the women who helped bring it to life and up-to-date on the big screen. Plus they answer questions from you lovely Girls On Film listeners in our audience Q&A.

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

This episode of Girls On Film is in partnership with Netflix.

Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast

Follow us on socials:

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Producer: Heather Dempsey

Intern: Ruby Bradshaw

Audio editor: Jack Howard

Host: Anna Smith

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Philippa Lowthorpe, the writer-director behind H is For Hawk, and the film’s star, Claire Foy, join Anna Smith to discuss the moving adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s hit memoir, co-starring Brendan Gleeson, Denise Gough, Lindsay Duncan and Sam Spruell. Philippa speaks frankly to Anna about the film’s poetic embodiment of the experience of grief, which produces a story that is both powerful and inspiring. Claire and Philippa discuss the process of collaboration, and consider how the on-set dynamics allowed for an element of freedom in Claire’s performance. Claire’s embodiment of Helen is represented beautifully by Philippa, whose documentary background informed her process of capturing the moment. No film made with live, wild animals is without its challenges, and Claire and Philippa speak to Anna about the incredible experience of working with hawks on set, Claire’s own personal reflections of working with them, and the intense, ethical falconry techniques and training involved. Finally, Philippa and Claire discuss bringing the role of Helen to life in all her messy complexity with the support of the film’s producer Dede Gardner.

This episode is in partnership with Lionsgate.

H is For Hawk is in select UK cinemas on 23 January.

Philippa Lowthorpe has also appeared on episodes 28 and 145 of Girls On Film, when she attended the Girls On Film Awards.

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Intern: Ruby Bradshaw

Audio Editor: Benjamin Cook

Principal Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith

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Kate Hudson joins Anna for an exclusive, in-depth conversation about her leading role in the film Song Sung Blue, an inspiring true story about a Neil Diamond tribute act, directed by Craig Brewer and co-starring Hugh Jackman. She shares the joys and challenges of taking on the role of Clare, a complex real-life character who has a dramatic journey.

Kate talks frankly about the film’s exploration of mental health, about the responsibilities of playing a real character, and about the importance of maintaining a happy film set: something she and Hugh Jackman both feel strongly about.

She shares how the love story personally inspired her and gives the inside track on the song recordings. Having been Oscar-nominated for Almost Famous in 2000, Kate talks about being in the awards conversation in 2026 alongside actresses she adores. She also shares how she feels about body image and women ageing in Hollywood.

This episode is in partnership with Song Sung Blue.

Song Sung Blue is in UK Cinemas now.

You can also hear Kate Hudson on episode 134 of Girls On Film, talking about Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

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Anna Smith goes behind the scenes on one of the biggest films of the year, and one of the biggest contenders in film awards season: WICKED: FOR GOOD.

This sequel to WICKED came to our cinema screens in late November and Anna is thrilled to sit down with four women who helped create both films, which are a key influence in shaping the lives of young viewers today.

Anna talks first with Screenwriter Dana Fox and Casting Director Tiffany Little Canfield, and then with DOP Alice Brooks ASC, and Hair & Make-Up Designer Frances Hannon. They speak about collaboration, female empowerment, the intricacies of their jobs and about working with the whole crew, including director Jon M Chu and co-writer Winnie Holzman.

Tiffany, Alice and Frances were all shortlisted for the Oscars the day before this podcast was published.

This episode is in partnership with WICKED: FOR GOOD

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Assistant Producer: Negin Nia

Intern: Tallulah Treadaway

Audio Editor Extraordinaire: Benjamin Cook

Thanks to Girls On Film principal partners Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer

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In this episode of Girls On Film, we speak with Laura Mulvey, British feminist film theorist, filmmaker, and Patron of Girls On Film, who was awarded the prestigious BFI Fellowship in November.

Laura has curated a selection of Big Screen Classics running throughout December 2025 at London’s BFI Southbank, featuring titles such as Morocco, Man with a Movie Camera, and Through the Olive Trees. A wonderful opportunity to revisit, or discover, these influential films.

And in the episode we introduce a new category in the 2026 Girls On Film Awards: The Girls On Film Award for Best Editing sponsored by DISAUTHORITY.

Anna chats with Maria Shevtsova, Vice President of DISAUTHORITY and Head of DISAUTHORITY Originals, about the award category, and the exciting partnership. The 2026 awards will take place on February 2nd, and we’re delighted to celebrate this new addition.

Thank you to Lilac Grove Entertainment for partnering with us on this episode.

Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast

Follow us on socials:

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Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film is an HLA production.

Host: Anna Smith

Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold

Producer: Negin Nia

Intern: Ruby Bradshaw

Audio Editor: Benjamin Cook

Principal Partners: Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer

© HLA Agency