Aleksandra Odic wins L’Oréal Paris 2021 ‘Lights on Women’ Award for her courageous short film FRIDA
Aleksandra Odić’s 22-minute short film took the top honour, from the 11 selected short films, depicting an encounter between a young nurse and her patient.
Academy Award-winning actress, Kate Winslet, was this years juror for the L’Oréal Paris inaugural Lights on Women Award.
“Aleksandra Odić’s short film, Frida, moved me to tears. The brave subtlety and sparse use of dialogue created an internal heartache that takes courage, skill, and a very delicate hand. I am confident that the Lights on Women Award will propel a new generation of female filmmakers forward in their careers, while also capturing unique and hugely relevant themes within the challenges of our world today.”
The final choice was determined during a special prize ceremony at the Jeune Cinéma dinner in Cannes on Friday, July 16. In recognition of her accomplishment, Odić will receive financial support of €30,000.
As an Official Partner of the Cannes Film Festival for more than 24 years, L’Oréal Paris has always been a feminist brand that champions women’s empowerment, specifically in the world of film through its privileged relationship with iconic actresses who embody the values of the brand. Now, L’Oréal Paris is going even further with this commitment, with this dedicated award program for female short filmmakers.
Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Global Brand President, L’Oréal Paris, adds:
“We decided to champion this cause because we believe in working together to reduce bias and achieve greater gender balance in cinema. The main obstacles faced by women who want to pursue careers in film are firstly, self-confidence, and secondly, financial resources. For Aleksandra Odić, I hope that this award will provide helpful support in regard to both of these challenges.”
