From Abby Ajayi to Rosala: Meet Varietys Impactful International Women of 2023

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, Variety once again highlights accomplishments by global women of show business. From starring in some of this past year’s most impressive films and television series to executing major deals and expanding content coverage, “impactful” doesn’t even begin to capture their contribution to international entertainment.

Titilope Adesanya
Director of Operations-Africa, EMPIRE
Nigeria
As the director of operations for Africa at indie record label Empire, Adesanya is an integral part of the team behind the rollouts and campaigns for chart-topping Nigerian artists including Kizz Daniel, Fireboy DML and Asake. Based in Lagos, she has her finger on the pulse of Africa’s pop music mecca. “Everybody can feel the energy. It’s like now is the time,” she says. While “not actively trying to change’’ the male-dominated biz all by herself, Adesanya takes inspiration from the many women “keeping their head down and doing the work. I just know that I’m taking the power that belongs to me.”
Abby Ajayi
Creator, EP and writer, “Riches”
U.K.
Ajayi got her start as a Fulbright scholar studying screenwriting in New York, and she quickly became a powerhouse in the industry. While Ajayi learned from all the shows she’s written for and produced — including “Riches,” “Inventing Anna” and “The First Lady” — she says “Riches” holds a special place in her heart. She wrote, executive produced and directed it. “It was my first greenlight as a creator. To take an original idea from initial seed to a global launch has been an incredible learning experience.” Now Ajayi is in development to adapt one of her own short stories into a TV series.
The Women of “Alice in Borderland”
Aya Asahina, Ayaka Miyoshi, Riisa Naka, Tao Tsuchiya, Yuri Tsunematsu
Actors
Japan
Netflix’s “Alice in Borderland,” which launched its second season last December, snagged the top spot on the Global Non-English TV list with 61.2 million viewing hours over its premiere weekend. “Great stories, no matter the language or cultural background, can reach people everywhere. I consider myself lucky to be a part of something where success isn’t just defined by budget, but rather by how many people it has reached,” says Tsuchiya, who plays Yuzuha Usagi in the series. Throughout “Alice in Borderland,” a group of enigmatic female characters bring vital life to the narrative, which revolves around a dedicated gamer named Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) who suddenly finds himself in a hollowed-out version of Tokyo, fighting to stay alive with his friends through a series of games. Comparisons to “Squid Game” are inevitable, but the show feels more like a product of the pandemic. “It was unthinkable there’d ever be an empty Shibuya, but once COVID came around, it turned into a reality,” Tsuchiya says.
Rebecca Allen and Jo Charrington
Co-Presidents, EMI Records
U.K.
Last year, two of the U.K.’s most successful female music executives united to run the country’s most storied record label. The move paid off, with EMI regaining its status as Britain’s market share No.1 in 2022, following hits by everyone from Sam Smith and Kim Petras to Elton John and Britney Spears. Allen hails the “new energy” created when Charrington moved across from Capitol U.K., while her co-president relishes being “part of a team where you can not only support each other, but challenge each other.” Their next mission? Global recognition for the U.K. music industry. “As a business, we have constantly delivered and punched above our weight,” Allen says.
Jomana R. Alrashid
CEO, Saudi Research and Media Group; Chairwoman, Red Sea Film Festival
Saudi Arabia
The Lebanon-reared, London-educated Alrashid returned to her native Saudi Arabia in October 2020 to take the reins of SRMG, the region’s largest media group, and quickly made her mark, acquiring a majority stake in the podcast platform Thmanyah and launching Manga Arabia magazine. In recent months, she’s partnered SRMG with Warner Bros. Discovery and Bloomberg to create the streaming platforms Asharq Discovery and Asharq Quicktake. “We couldn’t go to restaurants five years ago without being split up into two different sections and, but I no longer feel like I’m the woman in the room. I simply feel like we’re all there together, trying to achieve one ambition.”
Zeinab Abu Alsamh
General Manager, MBC Studios Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
A one-time advertising exec who spearheaded campaigns for everything from deodorant to pizza, Alsamh has been doing her part to transform Saudi Arabia into an international production hub since taking charge of MBC Studios in March 2020, greenlighting the English-language features “Desert Warrior,” starring Anthony Mackie; and “Kandahar,” starring Gerard Butler; as well as homegrown content, including the big-budget fantasy-adventure series “Rise of the Witches.” Alsamh notes, “Saudi Arabia has 13 provinces with different accents and traditions. When I say let’s have a diverse slate, it’s not us being politically correct as much as we are very hungry to see our own country in its different colors.”
Anitta
Singer
Brazil
Anitta is a two-time record holder in the Guinness World Records. One for the first solo Latin artist (and first Brazilian artist) to reach No. 1 on Spotify with her song “Envolver” and one for the first Brazilian to win a VMA for a solo project — an award she also received at the EMAs and AMAs. Her critically acclaimed album, “Versions of Me,” was released in three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese, followed by a memorable performance at Coachella last year. The deluxe edition of the album features new songs with collaborators Missy Elliott, Maluma, A$AP Ferg, Nicky Jam, HARV, L7NNON, Maffio, MC Pedrinho, Pedro Sampaio and Dadju.
The Women of Banijay
Pilar Blasco, CEO of Banijay Iberia
Spain

Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights
U.K.
Blasco leads a group of some of the most significant indie production companies in Spain and Portugal. Banijay Iberia is involved in new international IP such as “Your Face Sounds Familiar” and “The Bridge.” They’re also behind heavy-weight entertainment brands such as “MasterChef,” “Temptation Island” and “Big Brother.” “People who want to join our industry should be open minded and team oriented because that defines our success,” says Blasco. Payne has overseen dramatic growth of the Banijay Rights’ catalog, which now encompasses more than 152,000 hours and continues to expand. In 2022, Payne’s team was behind major deals for many titles including “Marie Antoinette,” “Rogue Heroes,” “Survivor” and “Big Brother.” Her group also pushed into the premium factual documentary arena. “After the pandemic, we all want television that we can watch en masse and then talk about together,” says Payne of current trends.
Emma Banks
Co-Head of Intl. Touring, CAA; Co-Head of CAA London Music; CAA Agency Board Member
U.K
Banks wears many hats at the Creative Artists Agency, and she also personally represents music powerhouses including Katy Perry, Lorde, Green Day, Kylie Minogue and Charli XCX. Having looked up to trailblazers in the field including Barbara Skydell, Marsha Vlasic and Michele Anthony, Banks tells young women who want to join the field: “Life is a series of compromises and sometimes you need to figure out what is really important to you and make that your priority. Ultimately though, put your heart and soul into what you are doing – half-hearted won’t get the job done, so be the very best you can.”
Yulia Evina Bhara
CEO, KawanKawan Media
Indonesia
In Bahasa Indonesia, Kawan means friend or companion, and Bhara revels in the opportunity to collaborate with filmmakers from around the world on movies such as Makbul Mubarak’s “Autobiography,” a Venice prize winner. The challenge: Mastering all parts of the process from start to finish. “Being a producer in Southeast Asia means that you have to do all the work by yourself, from development, financing, and producing to distribution,” she says. “The last step, distribution, is the most challenging phase for me.” Unlike producing theater, where “your job is done when the curtains are closed,” in film, “your job has only started when the film is already made.”
Alia Bhatt
Actor, “RRR” and “Gangubai Kathiawadi”
India
2022 started off big for Bhatt with a Berlin premiere for her “Gangubhai Kathiawadi” and included the smash hit “RRR,” as well as “Brahmāstra: Part One — Shiva,” in which she co-stars with husband Ranbir Kapoor. “There’s always that one film that’ll transcend language and leave its mark in people’s hearts,” she says. The pair also welcomed a daughter, Raha. She acted with Gal Gadot in Netflix’s “Heart of Stone.” Upcoming she reunites with director Karan Johar and stars opposite Ranveer Singh in “Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani,” out in July. “I am so excited about this one because it’s giving quintessential Bollywood and I’m finally wearing sarees in the snow [so it’s a dream come true from every angle].”
Ximena Cantuarias
SVP of Scripted Production, Telemundo Global Studios”
Mexico
Cantuarias’ 25-plus years in the biz informs her oversight of Telemundo’s shows, including “El Señor de los Cielos” and the International Emmy-winning “Buscando a Frida.” Born in Peru, she helped facilitate the shoot of some key Machu Picchu-set scenes for Telemundo’s “La Reina del Sur.” “Streaming has shaken the foundations of linear television and has forced us to rethink content,” she says. “That’s when proven franchises and good stories play a key role.” She sees “a return to melodrama, love, and heartbreak, which are inexhaustible sources of stories, the way of telling them is simply changing.”
Lorna Clarke
Controller of Pop, BBC
U.K.
Since taking charge of the BBC’s music output — an empire stretching from classical station Radio 3 to TV coverage of Glastonbury Festival — Clarke has faced multiple challenges and risen to them all. Having emerged from the pandemic, 2022 saw a fresh test following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with live events canceled and music programming adjusted to stay “in line with the mood of the nation.” Clarke says she learned the BBC “is trusted to play the right music at the right time to meet the moment,” an approach she intends to maintain in 2023’s hopefully calmer waters. “When the industry focuses on the audience, we all win.”
Kerry Condon
Actor
Ireland
Condon’s career is taking off. The Irish actor was recently nominated for an Oscar for her “Banshees of Inisherin” role, a film set on a remote island. Condon says getting to play Siobhan in Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-nominated film was challenging because she had to find moments to show the character’s glimpses of rage, sorrow and loneliness while still playing to her character’s youth and hopefulness. As for her nomination, she was with co-star Colin Farrell and his family when she found out. “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet. It’s literally a dream come true,” she says. “It was a moment I’ll remember forever.”
Karima Damir
Director of A&R and Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment Middle East
United Arab Emirates
New sounds are Damir’s specialty — that comes in handy for one of the fastest-growing regions in the music industry. The strategic partnerships she’s established with Ghmza Creative Studios and Craft Media have propelled joint venture label Vibe Music Arabia to the forefront of artist development with signings such as Bader Al Shuaibi and Bashar al-Shatti, and to the top of the charts with Elissa’s “Damer” and Hamaki’s “Ya Fetenny.” Collab- orations in the coming year include “exploring disruptive collaborations between Arab and international artists of different genres… to create fresh music that challenges the status quo.”
Kazia Davy
Music Agent, UTA
U.K.
The go-to agent for Afrobeats and hip-hop, Davy had a tremendous year booking her clients Wizkid, Trippie Redd and CKay, headlining major fest slots across Europe and selling out the largest shows of their careers. This is particularly impressive in the post-pandemic era with challenges including rising costs, industries not keeping up with demand, and changes in purchasing patterns. Recounting her proudest moment of this year, Davy says, “I came out with a strong roster and substantial artist growth. We just announced Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Wizkid. Not too many agents get the opportunity to work on stadium shows. It’s something special.”
The Women of “The Real Housewives of Dubai”
Chanel Ayan, Nina Ali, Caroline Brooks, Sara Al Madani, Lesa Milan, Caroline Stanbury
Cast Members
United Arab Emirates
“The Real Housewives” franchise has covered 11 U.S. and 21 international cities. But after 16 years, Bravo expanded the franchise from the U.S. to the UAE. The latest city features women from all over the world who settled in Dubai — with representation from England, Kenya, Lebanon, Jamaica, the U.S. and Dubai. Al Madani, the series’ sole Emirati, says she took on the role as “an opportunity to do a massive PR campaign to fix the stereotype and wrong information that the western world has about Arab women, the Middle East and Muslims.” Whereas Milan expressed how she was “excited for people to see how amazing and diverse Dubai truly is.” Anticipating scrutiny from the entertainment industry and their respective communities, Kenyan-born Ayan says after joining the show, she felt more scrutinized when she broached topics that typically are “not allowed to be discussed outside [her] culture.” While British-born and reality TV veteran, Stanbury explained that both her age and previous experience benefited her when coming back to the small screen, and taught her how to “get the real story to [the] viewers.” American-born Brooks adds the reception of the series also relied on the reaction from Dubai residents. She concludes she never wanted to misrepresent the city, but as the season progressed, she became overwhelmed with joy after seeing how “well-received [the] show was both in the Middle East and the rest of the world.”
The Women of “The Real Housewives of Durban”
Sorisha Naidoo, Toni “Annie” Mthembu, Nonkuleko “Nonku” Williams, JoJo Robinson, Slindile Ndlovu, Mbali Ngiba, Maria Valaskatzis
Cast Members
South Africa
“The Real Housewives of Durban” is the 24th international edition of the American franchise, and the second installment of the format set in South Africa. One of Showmax’s most popular series to stream when it premiered in January 2021, the show centers on powerful women in Durban, South Africa, highlighting their lives of opportunity and opulence. “Durban is a stunning city and the wealth of culture and beauty on display is perfect for tourism, and is exactly the sort of exposure Durban needed. We are the Miami of South Africa,” says Mthembu. When it comes to highlighting positive social aspects of the country, as well as the women who comprise the group, the show presents an eye-opening view of an exalted lifestyle. “I noticed that the international audience was quite in awe of our realness and our overall appearance,” says Williams.
Nima Elbagir
Chief Intl. Investigative Correspondent, CNN
U.K.
Elbagir is proud of every story she’s tackled. While reporting in Ukraine, the Sudanese journalist became the first person to expose a Russian general. “It was very important for us to be able to draw that direct line and prove that the architect of the siege of Aleppo was involved in war crimes in Ukraine,” she says. Along with that feat, she was the first journalist to prove the Iranian regime’s use of sexual assault against protesters. Elbagir is being awarded an honorary lifetime fellowship from Murray Edwards College, a college for women at the University of Cambridge. Through her work on human rights abuses, the board of governors said she “stood up for the rights of women around the world.”
Hildur Guðnadóttir
Composer, “Târ” and “Women Talking”
Iceland
Guðnadóttir didn’t have many female role models in her surroundings, but it never stopped her. Following her passion has led her to a career of great acclaim in composing. “I’ve always done everything wrong, but just by following what I’m interested in, it tends to not fit into what I’m supposed to be doing.” Just one Tony away from the coveted EGOT status, Guðnadóttir is not focused on the accolades that come along with her craft. “I’ve never been very concerned about awards, and awards have definitely never been a goal that I’ve had consciously,” she says.
The Women of “House of the Dragon”
Milly Alcock (Australia)
Eve Best (Italy )
Emily Carey, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Sonoya Mizuno (U.K.)
Actors
Formidable as the legendary Targaryens themselves, “The House of the Dragon” boasts a powerhouse cast that includes Alcock, Best, Carey, Cooke, D’Arcy and Mizuno — in crucial roles that reflect the struggles of women in positions of power or those who hope to ascend to them. Awards have been plentiful with the series nabbing a Golden Globe for drama, D’Arcy nominated for a Golden Globe in the actress in a drama series category, and Alcock nominated for supporting actress in a drama series at the Critics Choice Awards. “There’s just an appetite to see female characters and queer characters and non-binary characters that are not this archetypal or perfect person that’s not supposed to be a role model,” says Cooke. “I find that the most interesting and I think men historically have been allowed to play all those shades and you still love them.” Adds D’Arcy: “I think broadly the hope is that this will translate to all areas of production. I hope that we see more women showrunners. I hope that we see more women within writing teams, and more people of color in all areas of production.”
Laurence Herzberg
General Manager, Series Mania TV Festival
France
In 2010, when Herzberg launched Series Mania at Paris’ Forum des images, many French cineastes scoffed at the idea that scripted TV could be art. Thirteen years later, backed by France’s establishment, Series Mania has gone global welcoming 3,800 delegates for March’s edition, including a lineup of speakers that are the envy of any TV event in the world. Last November, Series Mania launched a Creative Campaign Award to stand out from the crowd. “It’s not enough to produce,” she says. “With so many series being made, and budgets falling, one big challenge is to raise audience awareness.”
Sharon Horgan
Creator, producer, and star, “Bad Sister”
U.K.
The Irish TV trailblazer has produced, created, written, and starred in a variety of comedy series including “Pulling,” “Catastrophe,” “Divorce,” and most recently, “Bad Sisters” — each of which depict unconventional stories about “lovable whilst being absolutely awful” characters. Horgan’s “Bad Sisters” folllows four sisters who will go as far as possible to protect one of their own. Horgan has repeatedly intertwined the dark and vulnerable with comedy as a means “to make an impact.” Throughout Horgan’s career, the multi-hyphenate has reached audiences on a global scale and became one of the top comedy series creators.
Emiko Iijima
VP of Anime Production, Crunchyroll
Japan
For the first decade of her career, Iijima served in a secretarial role at Pierrot, the Tokyo-based anime studio behind “Naruto” and “Tokyo Ghoul,” where she worked her way up to overseeing international sales and merchandising. As an executive at Crunchyroll, Iijima continues to juggle multiple hats with increased emphasis on sharing Japanese animation with global audiences. “Most of my career has been about how to distribute and promote animation produced in Japan to the world,” Iijima says. “Before Crunchyroll, I worked on this from the perspective of a Japanese producer. But now at Crunchyroll, I am seeing the same picture from a different angle.” In the past year, Iijima was an executive producer on anime series like “Beast Tamer” and “Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth.”
The Women of “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power”
Morfydd Clark, Markella Kavenagh, Sophia Nomvete
Actors
U.K.
When Clark, Kavenagh and Nomvete were cast in Amazon’s “Rings of Power” in 2019, they were far from household names. Welsh-born Clark, who plays the Elven warrior Galadriel, was on the industry’s radar thanks to her BAFTA-nominated starring role in “Saint Maud.” Kavenagh, (Harfoot Nori Brandyfoot) had only a string of supporting parts in series shot in her native Australia, including “Romper Stomper” and “Picnic at Hanging Rock.” British stage vet Nomvete (Dwarven Princess Disa) was just beginning to gain traction with co-starring roles in the RSC’s “Vice Versa” and the European premiere of “The Color Purple” after years touring small U.K. theaters. Forbidden from telling anyone about their roles, they were whisked away to remote New Zealand, where they spent a year and a half shooting the first season of the billion-dollar series, not feeling the effects of their career coup until it dropped on Prime last September. Clark says, “it was really interesting for all of us playing canon characters to be exploring how these characters become what we know them to be.” The series has been critically praised for casting actors of color in prominent roles. “People were so desperately proud to be able to see a version of themselves staring back at them,” says Nomvete, who’s half South African and half Iranian. “An interracial couple dressing up as myself and Owain [Arthur, who plays her husband, Prince Durin] for Halloween said, ‘Thank you. We never ever been able to do something like this.’”
The Women of Moonbug Entertainment
Samreen Ghani, President of Moonbug Studio
U.K.
Susan Vargo , Head of Live Events and Location-Based Experiences
U.K.
During the first year of Moonbug Entertainment’s ownership by Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer’s Candle Media, Ghani and Vargo labored mightily to boost the children’s programming company’s footprint around the world. “Blippi: The Musical” premiered in London’s West End to sold-out performances during the summer, and the show also sold-out performances in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. More live entertainment initiatives are planned this year, Vargo says, including Cocomelon and Blippi family entertainment centers. “We currently produce content in over 15 countries with 20-plus partner studios,” says Ghani, a founding member of the AVOD powerhouse. “Not all of them can scale at the same pace, so we need to keep scoping out new avenues for producing content and continuing to grow and develop talent internally, whilst also maintaining the brand and creative integrity.”
The Women of Netflix
Tinny Andreatta (Italy)
Jenny Stjernströmer Björk (Sweden)
Minyoung Kim (Japan)
Anne Mensah (U.K.)
Katja Hofem (Germany)
Vice Presidents, Content
Andreatta oversaw such Italian breakout hits in 2022 as “Wanna,” “Tutto Chiede Salvezza” and “Summer Job.” She considers her biggest accomplishment over the past year to be “building a slate with a variety of authentic and unique Italian stories [series, films, documentaries and non-scripted], mirroring the urgency of our present, taking inspiration in real stories and important Italian IPs.” Björk’s hits include “Young Royals,” which was just renewed for a third season, and Spotify drama series “The Playlist.” Her advice to those who want to work in the industry: “Identify what you are good at and what you love doing. Try to bring these two together, be humble but self-confident and make sure to communicate clearly what you wish for.” Mensah has key roles in BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama “The Crown.” She recently commissioned “The Gentlemen,” produced and directed by Guy Ritchie, and “Kaos,” created by Charlie Covell. Mensah finds her success with being a team player. “Be faithful to your peers, these are the people who will be your support network, collaborators and your greatest competition for the rest of your career,” she says. Hofem, in Germany, will introduce mystery drama series “Hello” and the crime series “Sleeping Dog” in 2023. She’s keen on bringing one’s own perspective to her work. “Always stay authentic and never try to be someone else,” says Hofem. Kim heads one of the fastest-growing and most electrifying regions for Netflix. She and her teams have spearheaded the boom of Korean content as well as the rise of live-action and anime from Japan, established areas including Australia and emerging content areas such as Thailand and Indonesia. Kim’s teams have worked to build up content with three of Netflix’s top 10 most popular non-English shows being from South Korea — “Squid Game,” “All of Us Are Dead,” and “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.”
Leila Oliveira
President, Warner Music Brazil
Brazil
The first woman to head a major record label in Brazil, Oliveira has broadened the music-consuming numbers in areas beyond the country’s metropolitan cities. The significant international export of Anitta, the first Brazilian music superstar to top Spotify’s global chart, brought attention to Brazil and piqued interest in collaborating with artists from this part of the world. Says Oliveira, “It’s great to see Latin music at the heart of the global scene.” As for the coming year, Oliveira says: “We’re offering a broader range of deals than ever before, which is enabling us to work with more diverse artists. Music fans will benefit from hearing new voices from a wider range of backgrounds.”
Jáde Osiberu
Producer and writer, “Brotherhood”
Nigeria
The daughter of engineers, Osiberu took an unconventional path to filmmaking — first as a computer programmer, then as a banker. It’s hard to argue with the result: Last year, the talented multi-hyphenate signed a three-year overall pact with Amazon Prime Video, the first deal of its kind on the continent. For a Nigerian woman, “these are things that were impossible years ago,” says Osiberu. Yet when a friend’s daughter asked her advice about pursuing a dream to make movies, “I told her to go for it. I believe that her generation is going to have it even better than ours.”
Vanessa Picken
CEO and Chair, Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand
Australia
It’s been a year of firsts for Picken who is trailblazing as the first woman CEO and chair of Sony Music Australia and New Zealand and the first woman to run a major label in Australia. Under her leadership, Sony music artists Gang of Youths, Midnight Oil and Parkway Drive have had No. 1 albums while Tones and I and the Kid Laroi have received Aria Awards. Picken is ahead of business trends with partnerships and investments in merchandise, tech, theater, education and experiential entertainment. As for collaborations in the coming year, Picken says Australia’s government has committed to a five-year program called Revive. “This strategic investment and policy development is a long-term vision for the industry to create a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem for our artists.”
Sarah Polley
Director, “Women Talking”
Canada
Director, writer, actor and political activist Polley made waves with “Women Talking” in 2022, for which she received an Oscar nomination for adapted screenplay. Writing and directing the critically acclaimed film, she illustrated the story of women in an isolated religious community who were subjected to men’s violence and left to reconcile their faith. Polley is also recognized for her acting credits including “Ramona” in the 1980s, “Dawn of the Dead” and “My Life Without Me” as well as her other directorial and writing work including “Stories We Tell” and “Take This Waltz.”
Claire Popplewell
Creative Director Live Events, BBC Studios Productions
U.K.
Under the leadership of Popplewell, BBC Studios saw an event-packed year notably marked by the tragic death of the country’s monarch. But Popplewell rose to the occasion, guiding the events team through 11 days of televised ceremonial events in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. “[The queen’s] state funeral had to be broadcast to perfection and it was an honor to be involved,” the creative director says. “We were fortunate to work with some of the most talented people in the broadcast industry who all came together and worked at the top of their game to ensure we did her majesty proud, and I will always be very grateful that everyone in our BBC Studios Events freelance family gave so much.”
The Women of Red Sea International Film Festival
Faiza Ambah, Filmmaker and Arab Program Consultant
Saudi Arabia
Shivani Pandya, Managing Director
United Arab Emirates
Jumana Zahid, Manager, Red Sea Lodge, Red Sea Film Foundation
Saudi Arabia
Held in the ancient Saudi city of Jeddah, the Red Sea fest made an impressive showing with its second edition drawing nearly 40,000. Just as significant were its efforts to promote filmmaking in the region through initiatives such as the Red Sea Lodge, headed by Zahid, a 10-month residency program for emerging filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world and Africa. “I’m very proud that we were able to show Arab films to a Saudi audience because most people in the world watch American movies. if they didn’t watch them at the festival, they would probably not have access to them,” Ambah says. Looking to the future, Pandya says they plan on “working on growing our audiences, broadening our outreach to schools and colleges, expanding our industry offering and access to the vibrant new Saudi scene, as well as the best of Arab and African production.”
Marie-Anne Robert
Managing Director, Sony Music
France
The first woman to lead a major label in France, Robert also serves as a mentor for female entrepreneurs in the music industry. Under her direction, Grand Corps Malade, Oboy, Alonzo, Laylow and Indo- chine have all joined (and rejoined) the label’s roster. Understanding her territory’s behaviors, Robert’s focus is on developing local talent with Sony boasting a growth of local repertoire share of 60% versus 44% in 2021. She is most proud this year of how via the Sony Music Global Social Justice Fund, the label has been able to help several French charities, “focusing on helping dis-advantaged young people through arts and culture, and delivering mentoring programs for women.”
Rosalía
Singer
Spain
Fresh off her Grammy win for Latin rock or alternative album for “MOTOMAMI,” Rosalía’s Grammy count is now up to two, plus 12 Latin Grammys. This is the latest accolade the multi-genre artist has received for her Metacritic-certified No. 1 critically acclaimed album of 2022. Rosalía wrote, performed, recorded and executive produced “MOTOMAMI,” whose musical reach is global with elements of contemporary Latin-American rhythms. R&B, hip-hop, hints of jazz and electronic beats. She spent half of 2022 on her first worldwide tour, performing almost 50 concerts with sold-out shows across the continents.
Darin J. Sallam
Director, “Farha”
Jordan
After “Farha” premiered at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival, it became Jordan’s official Oscars international film selection and was snapped up by Netflix. Via the streamer, a global audience witnessed the journey of a Palestinian girl and her family on the day thousands of Palestinians were violently forced out of their villages in 1948. Sallam says, “Our side of the narrative was hidden for so long. Letting ‘Farha’ see the light was one of the biggest challenges.” Sallam says she gets messages from all over the world from people touched by the film’s subject matter. Though “Farha” didn’t make the shortlist for nominations this year, you can expect more films from Sallam, who hopes to continue to be the voice of the voiceless.
Emma Thompson
Academy-Award winner, and self-declared character actor, Emma Thompson has finally become the female hero she never saw when she was younger. Thompson explains she was searching for the film that “told the story of the unbelievable heroism of women.” Thompson’s latest film, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” has approached women’s heroic nature, and subverted the “don’t go and save the world, I need you here with the family” roles she’s been repeatedly offered. Thompson says “Leo Grande” not only provoked an “oddly eclectic” round of responses, but also brought agency, independence, vibrancy and joy to the heroic woman that, as she says, would typically “be in the background.”
The Women of “The Traitors”
Toni Ireland, Sarah Fay, Executive Producers
Syeda Irtizaali Editor for Unscripted Commissioning, BBC One
U.K.
A global phenomenon, “The Traitors” premiered in the U.K. in November under All3Media’s production, with Fay, Ireland and Irtizaali as acting producers. Producers Fay and Ireland formerly worked together on “The Circle” and were joined by BBC portfolio editor Irtizaali to develop the British unscripted series. The three executives also worked to adapt the hit Dutch series, “De Verraders.” Prior to overseeing “The Traitors,” Irtizaali commissioned “Alan Carr: Chatty Man,” “The Million Pound Drop,” “Top Gear” and “Masterchef.” After the release of the U.K. premiere, Ireland worked with Alan Cumming to produce the U.S. version for Peacock.
Jane Turton
CEO of All3Media
U.K.
Turton leads more than 40 production labels through the U.K., U.S. and Europe. Most recently, All3Media released hit unscripted series “The Traitors, produced by Studio Lambert. Turton was appointed CEO in 2015, following her role as All3Media’s COO. Since 1993, Turton has worked in the television business, beginning with Meridian Broadcasting, which eventually led her to All3Media in 2008. With Turton as CEO, All3Media has since produced and released international hits such as “Gogglebox” and “The Tinder Swindler” as well as “The Traitors.”
The Women of Wasserman Music
Debbie Ward, SVP of Brand Partnerships & Corporate Events
Adele Slater, Clementine Bunel, Holly Rowland, Agents
U.K.
The women of Wasserman Music are pushing all possibilities in the live space. Billie Eilish’s “Overheated” multi-day climate-focused event at the O2 was made possible by sizable funding from WeTransfer and YouTube secured by Ward. Slater successfully booked Liam Gallagher’s two-night run at Knebworth, which sold out 170,000 tickets in hours, and ultimately achieved seven U.K. shows with more than 325,000 tickets sold. The return of Stromae after a seven-year hiatus with triple global ticket sales was helmed by Bunel. Louis Tomlinson’s Pollstar-recognized Top 200 Worldwide Tour was steered by newly upped agent Rowland. Says Bunel, “Strategy and creativity are at the epicenter of touring.”
Miranda Wayland
Head of Intl. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Prime Video and Amazon Studios
U.K.
Following her hire at Prime Video and Amazon Studios in May, Wayland launched the Prime Video Pathway — a $13 million initiative aimed at diversifying the entertainment workforce and making on-and-off screen roles more accessible — and multiple programs dedicated to increasing gender representation in key crew roles. “Our industry has a number of initiatives in place to advance the careers of women and provide opportunities such as development and leadership programs and flexible working options,” she says. Wayland is also in the process of expanding a film apprenticeship program at Feltham Young Offenders Institution.
The Women of “The White Lotus”
Sabrina Impacciatore, Simona Tabasco, Beatrice Grannò
Actors
Italy
Impacciatore, Tabasco and Grannò reached unprecedented levels of global acclaim following Season 2 “The White Lotus.” The show has no shortage of sultry moments featuring the three actors, whose performances redefine what female sexual empowerment looks like. “Reading Lucia for the first time, I felt nervous. Once I was on set, in her shoes, I understood and loved her deeply,” Tabasco says of playing the Sicilian sex worker. “Lucia is a symbol of freedom and audacity. She uses her body to exploit others but is never a victim of her choices.” Grannò says she felt a responsibility to do justice to her portrayal of fellow call girl Mia. “It’s hard to talk about female pleasure in a way that empowers and doesn’t reduce its complexity and importance,” she says, crediting series creator Mike White with carefully navigating the topic. Impacciatore says of her character Valentina, who is a diligent hotel manager and closeted lesbian: “Valentina’s sexual liberation is an epiphanic moment — a physical and emotional awakening about something she was trying to hide to herself.”
Deborah Williams
CEO, Creative Diversity Network
U.K.
Williams never could have imagined receiving an Order of the British Empire or meeting the king of England, but her success as a leader at Creative Diversity Network and role in advocating for disability arts helped her do just that. “It feels like people don’t listen or respect my opinions because I’m a woman in the wider industry,” Williams says. “Through my role at CDN, I find the best way to get past it is to underpin my work with evidence. Using quotes or statistics or evidence from others — usually men — makes a difference, and once I show myself they can’t ignore me.”

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Update: 2024-07-31