Ep 217: International Women's Day special: inspiring female figureheads in the film industry episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 6, 2026 · 1H 11M

Ep 217: International Women's Day special: inspiring female figureheads in the film industry

from Girls On Film · host Anna Smith

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 Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Sign up to the Girls On Film newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iEKaM-/ Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno 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 & 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. © HLA Agency

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 6, 2026

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Ep 217: International Women's Day special: inspiring female figureheads in the film industry

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