Power To Transform announced that the Global Forum for Women will once again take place during the Berlinale 2024!
Power To Transform Chairwomen Barbara Rohm & Yvonne de Andrés share: “We have fond memories of the last forum, in which 59 organisations from 29 countries took part. This time, we will have more time to gather, exchange news, network, and support each other in a non-public part. We will hear inspiring power speeches from fellow campaigners, who will share their knowledge, experiences, and best practices with us. Afterward, we will open the event to a wider Berlinale audience, where we will discuss the topic of how to move beyond the male gaze and pose questions about how post-heroic storytelling can shape the future. More than ever, our fractured world needs new ways to amplify the widest range of new voices telling stories in new ways. As the author and mythologist Sharon Blackie says: “Post-heroic stories aren’t focused on individual glory; they’re focused on community and relationality. On diversity.” In this forum, we cordially invite trans and non-binary filmmakers.”
In a preceded closed event, under the title “Heroines for Change”, will feature 5-Minute Power Speeches from a wide-ranging group of fellow campaigners working in the field of gender equality and diversity. Participation is by personal invitation only.
Power To Transform also announced two online masterclasses on Thursday, 18 January 2024, and Thursday, 1 February 2024, to complement the Berlinale forum event. The in-person event will take place on February 16th 2024 at the Embassy of Canada to Germany, Leipziger Platz 17, 10117 Berlin.
The panel will discuss: “Post-Heroic Storytelling: Moving beyond the Male Gaze and Reimagining the Female Gaze.” The dramaturgy of filmmaking is fixated on the recipe of the hero’s journey and on patriarchal narratives. These stories are not serving all identities and they are teaching lessons that are only good for the wealthy and most powerful. They are also presented in such a way that we are led to simply accept the status quo of the world, rather than to question it. If we want to see innovative and diverse stories on the big screen, we have to pose questions about how to move beyond the male gaze and how Post-Heroic Storytelling can shape the future.
As the author and mythologist Sharon Blackie says: “Post-Heroic Stories aren’t focused on individual glory; they’re focused on community, and relationality. On diversity.” More than ever, our fractured world needs new ways to amplify the widest range of new voices telling stories in new ways. Power To Transform welcomes Anna Hints (Estonia), Minnenhle Luthuli (South Africa), Gail Maurice (Canada) and Joey Soloway (USA) in a panel discussion to be moderated by Manori Ravindran (UK).
Find the programme here!
Power To Transform also announced an online masterclasses on Thursday, 18 January 2024 to complement the Berlinale forum event.
The masterclass features Dr. Sharon Blackie. The award-winning writer, psychologist, and mythologist, Dr. Sharon Blackie believes that since we are all innately storytelling-creatures, stories and folklore, with their embedded life lessons, are deeply entwined in our civilization and culture. However, these stories are not serving us well and they are teaching lessons that are only good for the wealthy and most powerful. They are also presented to us in such a way that we are led to simply accept the status quo of the world, rather than to question. These so-called ‘Heroic Stories’ promote the idea that we need to be bigger and better than the previous generations and they purport the myth of ‘More, More, More’, whereby our character is defined by what we have and what we buy.
Therefore we should look at the re-imagining of these stories, because if our cultural mythology is rich and nourishing, it inspires us and gives us meaning. If it is arid and heartless, then it leaves us alienated and rootless. A Post-Heroic Story is a story that built not on individuality and competition, but on building community and recognizing diversity. It is story not about strength, but compassion. Quoting Carl Jung, Dr Sharon Blackie says: “If the cultural mythology is dying, then the myth-making power lies in the individual (or a group of individuals). We need to kickstart the transformation of culture. We need stories to re-enchant us, our children and the world.”
The conversation will be led by Barbara Rohm, Chairwoman Power to Transform!.
Please register to participate since the number of participants is limited!
