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The panel discussion “Her Frame, Her Story: Women Rewriting Cinema,” held on the fifth day of IFFK, offered an insightful exploration of the male and female gaze and the systemic challenges faced by women in the film industry. The engaging session brought together a diverse group of voices—Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, this year’s Spirit of Cinema Award recipient; Anuparna Roy, director of Songs of Forgotten Trees; Nayra Ilic García, director of Cuerpo Celeste; actor and humanitarian ambassador Sheena Chohan; and Malayalam filmmaker Mini I. G.—who shared nuanced perspectives on filmmaking, representation, and creative freedom.

Reflecting on the global challenges women face in filmmaking, Kelly Fyffe-Marshall noted the persistent pressure to make films more “palatable” for audiences, often at the cost of authenticity.

Drawing from her experiences in Chile and Latin America, Nayra Ilic García highlighted film production systems that continue to prioritize male-centric narratives, restricting opportunities for women to tell their own stories.

For Mini I. G., the “female gaze” represents a perspective grounded in emotional depth, lived experiences, and creative freedom. She advocated for structural reforms, increased representation of marginalized voices, and a more empathetic approach to storytelling, while also commending Kerala Government initiatives that support women filmmakers.

Anuparna Roy addressed the pressures from producers to include explicit content for funding, emphasizing her commitment to presenting situations truthfully rather than replicating the male gaze.

Concluding the session, Sheena Chohan stressed that deliberate choices and sustained support for women’s narratives are crucial to effecting meaningful and lasting change in cinema.