The UNIC Cinema Days once again provided an opportunity for the WCLP community to reconnect, following the initial gathering that marked the launch of the 2026/27 edition at CineEurope last June.
Laura Houlgatte, CEO of UNIC, opened the session by welcoming the group and thanking the Champions of the Programme Vista Group, Imax and Barco for their continued support. She then introduced Monica Chadha, Senior Advisor, Creative Industries, Mocha 8, who moderated the session, and Julien Marcel, Founder and President of Cine Group & President of KLS VIP, who shared his professional journey and reflections on leadership, drawing on the people and experiences that had shaped his career.
The conversation highlighted the importance of support, resilience, confidence and responsible leadership. Julien reflected on the women – and men! – who had supported and encouraged him throughout his career, underlining how crucial it is to recognise talent and create opportunities for others. He also emphasised that professional titles do not define personal worth, and that strong personal relationships and a commitment to meaningful causes help put professional challenges into perspective. Finally, the discussion touched on the responsibility of senior leaders to be role models, use their influence positively, promote inclusion and accessibility, and consider the legacy they leave behind. The talk triggered lively Q&As that focused on daring to pursue ambitions, building strong teams and learning from failure.
The session then turned to the mentoring experience itself, with mentors and mentees sharing feedback and exchanging perspectives on their respective roles and relationships. A practical workshop followed, exploring what makes a successful leader and how to build an effective mentoring relationship. Monica guided the discussions throughout, offering valuable insights and encouraging participants to reflect on their own experiences.
To close the session, Laure Galtier, Head of Projects & Events of UNIC, outlined the next steps, including meet-ups in Sorrento, London and Paris in December and online calls in January. She also introduced upcoming activities for mentees, including job shadowing and the switch mentor month, planned for early 2027. The full group will get together in person again at CineEurope 2027.
If you have any questions about the programme or if you want to apply as a mentor or a mentee for the next 2027-2028 edition, please contact lgaltier@unic-cinemas.org