TELL US ABOUT YOUR DAILY HABITS THAT KEEP YOU INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED.
After dedicating 30 years to this business, I still wake up every day with a sense of excitement and possibility. Each day is a new opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference. My main motivation has always been the people—the colleagues I work with, my long-standing friends and the loved ones I come home to. They inspire me to give my best and to approach every challenge with enthusiasm.
Coming to the office with an opportunity-mindset keeps me alert and receptive to new ideas and solutions. It’s this mindset that has helped me navigate the ever-changing landscape of our industry and continue to find joy in my work. Whether it’s collaborating on a project or mentoring a new team member, I find fulfilment in the connections I make and the progress we achieve together.
LOOKING BACK AT YOUR CAREER JOURNEY, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
During my career, I have released over 500 films. Despite having released some of the highest-grossing films ever, I cannot choose just one as my favourite—much like a parent cannot choose a favourite child. Overall, I am immensely proud of being part of the storytelling fabric of the movie industry over the years. I have also had the privilege of participating in the creation of innovative marketing campaigns that have built brands resonating with a broad audience. The movie industry transcends the success of individual titles; it shapes the cultural landscape of individuals and, ultimately, society and countries. And I am immensely proud of the teams I have worked with, as only teamwork and resilience persist over the years.
On a personal note, I am very proud to have completed my PhD several years ago. It was a project that required energy, dedication, and great effort, and today it allows me to teach brilliant young university students who will become the leaders of the future in their respective fields and who keep me up to date of the new trends, preferences, and movements.
WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU ENCOUNTERED THROUGHOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? DID YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS ALONG THE WAY?
At the early stages of my career, the biggest challenges for me stemmed from communication and cultural differences. I believe communication is crucial in organisations, and conveying a plan or idea to a diverse group in a different language can be quite challenging. It requires significant energy and a great deal of persuasion. However, I can proudly say that most of the time, I received the support of my colleagues and managers to move forward with my proposals.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and fields who generously shared their knowledge and expertise with me. While I cannot single out one person as my mentor, I can feel the influence of many in my leadership style. Starting with my father, who taught me about the right kind of ambition and always encouraged me to go one step further since my school days onwards.
HAVING A DEMANDING ROLE, HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE?
Balancing work and life can be challenging. Due to the nature of my work and the time differences when working with American companies, there isn’t a clear line separating work and personal life, so I need to be flexible and adaptable. Sometimes, work might spill over into personal time and vice versa. Being flexible can help you manage these situations without too much stress. However, I integrate both aspects of life quite well using my own P&P method: Plan and Prioritise. This helps me in managing time effectively and reducing last-minute stress. I plan well in advance and prioritise key needs and duties in both areas. This approach ensures that when the time comes, everything runs smoothly with minimal improvisation or stress.
FROM YOUR CAREER OF NEARLY 30 YEARS IN THE CINEMA INDUSTRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS HOLDING WOMEN BACK? WHY DO THEY STILL REMAIN UNDERREPRESENTED IN SENIOR POSITIONS IN THE CINEMA INDUSTRY?
Our industry likely has one of the highest numbers of women working in it. Although the picture has been changing in recent years, what still strikes me is the small number of women who reach top positions, despite many women filling mid-level roles. While we now see more women at the table, I remember being the only woman in the room not many years ago. With fewer women in leadership roles, there are fewer role models for aspiring female leaders. It is crucial that we stand up and show our leadership for greater visibility. UNIC Women`s Cinema leadership programme is a great example of the way to go.
The film industry has long been male dominated, it is essential for women to step into the initial phases of projects. The writing and greenlight rooms are still predominantly male, leading to stories with a male bias that trickles down to the audience and perpetuates stereotypes that do not reflect our society. As women, we need to lean into leadership roles, and those who are already in such positions have the responsibility—if not the obligation—to mentor younger women and pave the way for them to climb the ladder to the top. Addressing these challenges requires the efforts from all the stakeholders in the industry and a genuine commitment to genre equality in all positions.
YOU WERE A MENTOR IN THE VERY FIRST EDITION OF THE UNIC WOMEN'S CINEMA LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME AND CONTINUE TO STAY ACTIVELY INVOLVED DURING OUR 'SWITCH MENTOR' MONTH. WHAT HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?
Taking part in the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme has been a very inspiring moment in my career. I am a people person and I value the sharing of knowledge and opinions over other learning methods. Even while participating as a mentor for young female leaders, I often felt like a mentee myself, as the exchange of knowledge, opinions, and ideas worked both ways. It has been very interesting to see that many women working in the industry face the same challenges, regardless of their position or country. These challenges range from communication to development and growth. Sharing how to overcome these challenges and thrive with them has been incredibly insightful. Not to forget to mention the extraordinary group of women who support and foster the programme.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE CURRENT MENTORS AND MENTEES?
Value the process. There are few times in life when you have the chance to share and spend quality time with another woman from the same industry, perhaps from a different country, in an open and candid conversation with the sole goal of mutual professional and personal growth. There is room for both serious working sessions and deep discussions, as well as fun and personal meetings. It is truly a valuable opportunity to meet and support the women leaders in the industry.