EPI's "Series Women" Program Empowers 15 European Female Producers

The Erich Pommer Institute (EPI) has announced the 15 participants chosen for the third edition of its coveted "Series Women" leadership program, in a revolutionary initiative to promote diversity and empower female creators in the European audiovisual business.

Series Women is Europe's first program of its type, with the goal of increasing the exposure of female creators and female-driven productions. The initiative's purpose is to increase industry diversity, ultimately making it more sustainable and competitive.

The individuals chosen reflect a diverse range of talent from around Europe. Rebecca Roughan, head of development at London-based Imaginary Friends, is well-known for her work on the television series "Broadchurch." Carla Fotea of Romania's microFILM and Claire McCabe of Ireland's Pipedream Productions, whose credits include the award-winning short film "An Encounter" and TV feature "Wrapped," are also among this varied group.

The Series Women program consists of five modules that will run from November 2023 to April 2024. It will be held online as well as in several European towns. Participants will have specific networking chances at events such as Sweden's Göteborg Film Festival's Drama Vision conference and France's Series Mania Forum.

Series Women, funded by Creative Europe - MEDIA and run in collaboration with industry groups such as EAVE, EWA, and FOCAL, aims to empower these brilliant women and leave a lasting impression on the European drama series industry. According to Judith Klein, the initiative's project manager, "EPI not only aims at bringing the selected female producers' careers and projects forward but wants to contribute to a more diverse and, thus, more sustainable and competitive European drama series industry."

Here is the complete list of those that were chosen:

• Esther Bensadon, France, Ragout
• Azra Djurdjevic, Switzerland, Filmgerberei
• Carla Fotea, Romania, microFILM
• Līga Gaisa, Latvia, Air Productions
• Amanda Gicharu, Germany, Barakoa Media
• Maria Golos, Poland, Rozbrat Films
• Marta Habior, Poland, No Sugar Films
• Milena Klemke, Germany, Weydemann Bros.
• Karoline Kunz, Germany, Sommerhaus Filmproduktion
• Claire McCabe, Ireland, Pipedream Productions
• Megan Messmer, Sweden, Messmerize Entertainment
• Tiko Nadirashvili, Georgia, Millimeter Film
• Emmy Oost, Belgium, Timescapes
• Rebecca Roughan, United Kingdom, Imaginary Friends Productions
• Nina Wikstøl, Norway, Seefood TV

The influence of Series Women on the European audiovisual business is expected to be significant, since it empowers a new generation of female producers and storytellers.