With a Chic Lunch, Chanel and Tribeca Toast to 10 Years of The Through Her Lens Program 

When it comes to storytelling and world-building, few luxury labels do it as cohesively as Chanel. Ergo, supporting auteurs and those breaking ground in the film industry by way of uplifting women, has become a backbone of the brand. On Friday, amid the Tribeca Film Festival happenings taking place around the city, Chanel and Tribeca’s Jane Rosenthal hosted a special luncheon to highlight the ongoing work of their Through Her Lens program.

An elegant crowd filled the courtyard of the storied Greenwich Hotel in their slingbacks, denim, tweed trophy jackets, and bouclé minis to enjoy small plates of pasta, salted pommes frites, and chilled shrimp over a midday cocktail in the sun. After appetites were satiated, Rosenthal, CEO and Co-Founder of Tribeca, gave opening remarks to reflect on the 10th anniversary of the program. Poignantly, the milestone is also the first installment of the annual luncheon since the passing of legendary producer and Tribeca chief content officer Paula Weinstein, who had “put her heart and soul” into Through Her Lens from the get-go. “Paula never hesitated to lift up those coming up behind her, including myself,” Rosenthal said. “I’d like to take a moment to honor her legacy, her spirit, her contribution, her activism, and her personal investment in each and every one of us. We know she is watching.”

“I’m just here for the lipstick,” joked Through Her Lens alum and newly-minted Advisory Committee member Kerry Washington, as she addressed the room. Explaining her involvement and why the program matters, she singled out “extraordinary” director Numa Perrier, who she has been working prolifically across her projects since their fateful meeting.

“What happens in this program is that we’re creating a pipeline for excellence,” Washington added. “We’re creating a situation where there are no excuses. Nobody gets to turn around and say they couldn’t find a great woman director. No! We found them here in Tribeca; we nurtured them, we prepared them. We belong in the room—the rooms should be our rooms where we let other people in, not beg to be in them, and this program helps make that a reality.”

A steadfast belief that Tribeca and Chanel have shared during their decades-long partnership is that art is necessary to the human experience—” and needed all the more in times of trial and adversity,” Rosenthal urged. This prompted nods from those in attendance, including established and emerging faces from screen and stage such as Katie Holmes, Rachel Weisz, Selma Blair (alongside her gorgeous service dog Scout), AnnaSophia Robb, Fiona Shaw, Ashley Benson, Dianna Agron, Joey King, Camila Mendes, Alysia Reiner, Chase Sui-Wonders, Emily Mortimer, Jenny Slate, Kathryn Newton, Louisa Jacobson, and Sistine Stallone.

As an Advisory Committee member, Washington shares her duties and responsibilities with fellow powerhouses, including Jane Fonda, Patty Jenkins, Laura Karpman, Greta Lee, and A.V. Rockwell. Founded in 2015 by Tribeca and Chanel, the Through Her Lens program brings together invaluable mentorship, industry support, consulting and collaborating, funding, and development opportunities to US-based self-identifying women and non-binary filmmakers. To date, it has supported over 100 filmmakers and short films funded by the program have gone on to premiere at the industry’s most preeminent festivals, receive distribution by top studios, win awards, and alter the career trajectories of the diverse talent behind the camera.

Sound inspiring? Good! Submissions for the 2024 Through Her Lens program are now open, with a three-day immersive workshop bridging everything from script development and how to pitch your project to integrating music and costume design, awaiting successful applicants this September. One team will receive life-changing full financing to produce their short film with support from Tribeca Studios, while another four projects will be awarded grants to aid development.

After a blissful afternoon of double Cs, clinking glasses, and the plentiful exchanging of business cards, it was time to get back to work. As a keepsake for the day, guests were handed a little white Chanel bag on their way out. While it wasn t a lipstick, Washington would no doubt approve of the departing gift of Chance eau de parfum and moisturizer.  

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