Production studio Fela and creative agency TAXI have created “Count Me In”–an inspiring and impactful film for Women’s History Month. Directed and edited by Kat Webber, the call to action for the Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF) highlights its mission: for every woman, girl, and gender-diverse person to have the power, safety, support, and rights to thrive.
This public foundation is doing vital work, yet many Canadians are unaware of CWF’s scope. Enabling women to be leaders, building the next generation of leaders, and breaking free from violence, poverty, and housing and food insecurity are at the heart of the organization. This Women’s History Month, the film is igniting viewers to raise their voices and make actionable changes toward gender justice and equality by counting themselves in.
A symphony of female voices delivers the collective monologue, including notable women across Canada such as Fay Defazio Ebert, teen pro-skateboarder; Sarain Fox, activist; Hannah Sung, media veteran; Anna Bediones, digital creator; Maya Jardon, model; Abby Albino, non-profit founder; Emma Genesse, feminist influencer; and Jamie Pandit, a transgender content creator.
“This piece is a visual pledge,” said Webber. “A call to join the chorus of those who are dedicated to bringing about tangible change, to actively engage and count yourself in. The collage style interweaves powerful portraiture, direct address, and mixed media featuring home videos from our cast, creating a universal and personal portrait of the vast tapestry of women across Canada. It’s a celebration of the female force. The campaign is scored with an original song written for the project by Canadian singer/songwriter LOKRE and was created by women in all key roles in front of and behind the lens, which for me adds an extra layer of authenticity to the message. We invite you to count yourself into this movement and support the incredible work that the Canadian Women’s Foundation does in this country.”
Launching during Women’s History Month, “Count Me In” is a national movement to recruit and galvanize as many people in Canada as possible to join CWF.
CreditsClient Canadian Women’s Foundation Agency TAXI Graham Lang, chief creative officer; Frank Macera, executive creative director; Janice Bisson, head of production; Jonathan Lajoie, producer. Production Company Fela Kat Webber, director & editor; Taj Critchlow, Fuliane Petikyan, exec producers; Amir Karimi, head of production; Su Zielinsky, producer; Kaayla Whachell, DP. Color Ana Escorse, colorist. Sound Design OSO Audio Original Music Liz Lokre. Cast Fay Defazio Ebert, Sarain Fox, Jamie Pandit, Hannah Sung, Anna Bediones, Maya Jardon, Abby Albino, Emma Genesse.
Director Gia Coppola Teams With Mejuri For “A New York Minute”; 1st Episode Takes Us To The Grocery Store
Mejuri, known for turning fine jewelry into an everyday luxury, has partnered with director Gia Coppola (The Last Show Girl, Palo Alto) and The Directors Bureau in Los Angeles, for the first time reimagining the brand’s story as episodic content. In a series of microfilms, co-created by Coppola and premiering following New York Fashion Week, Mejuri eschewed a typical celebrity campaign and cast us as voyeurs to a group of aspiring young women--real people, not actors--at the crossroads of their adult lives against the backdrop of New York City.
Titled “A New York Minute,” the series features five real-life friends, who include one perfectly imperfect heroine named Emma. The women celebrate ordinary moments and interactions which reveal, sometimes retrospectively, the extraordinary within the mundane. Adjacent to the brand’s own community, the 30-something year old cast includes Laura Love (Emma), Rebecca Ressler, Natalie Vall-Freed and Rozzi Crane. Mejuri’s jewelry makes an appearance as the best supporting actor.
“When I met with Gia and The Directors Bureau team, there was instant creative and personal chemistry and a natural alignment on the desire to push and blur the lines between marketing, storytelling, and the construct of what a ‘campaign’ could be,” said Jacob Jordan, chief brand officer, Mejuri. “Gia was able to push that idea into something that truly feels new and artful, with a realism and relatability that almost feels jarring. Gia was such a perfect collaborator and partner, someone I had complete trust in to be a catalyst for Mejuri’s values of celebrating women as their truest selves. I can’t wait for us to continue to tell the next chapters of this story.”
To land the relatable... Read More