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Girls On Film

Girls On Film

By: Anna Smith
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Girls On Film is a film review podcast from a female perspective, hosted by film critic and broadcaster Anna Smith and produced by co-founder Hedda Archbold at HLA AgencyAll rights reserved Art
Episodes
  • Ep 221: VIRGINIA WOOLF'S NIGHT & DAY: the filmmakers and star on adapting the comedy for the screen

    Ep 221: VIRGINIA WOOLF'S NIGHT & DAY: the filmmakers and star on adapting the comedy for the screen
    Jun 17 2026
    This special episode of Girls On Film comes to you from Vue West End, Leicester Square. At our Q&A screening of VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY host, Anna Smith is joined by the film’s director Tina Gharavi, lead actor Haley Bennett and writer-producer Justine Waddell. Justine talks about her ‘free adaptation’ of Woolf’s 1910 novel and shining a light on Edwardian England’s forgotten female scientists. Tina expresses gratitude for the film’s dream cast – which in addition to Haley Bennett, includes Jennifer Saunders, Timothy Spall, Jack Whitehall, Lily Allen, Misia Butler, Elyas M’Barek and Sally Phillips. She also reflects on the joys of shooting in North East England and the challenges of balancing playfulness and experimentation with the demands of script, budget and schedule. Haley speaks of finding inspiration in her character, Katharine Hilbery’s big dreams and belief in her own instincts. Set against the backdrop of the suffragette movement the film brings into sharp focus the choices and limitations faced by early twentieth century women but also their determination to break down barriers and create new pathways. Other films mentioned in this episode: ELOISE AT THE PLAZA SIXTEEN CANDLES THE BREAKFAST CLUB A huge thank you to Vue Lumière for partnering on this episode. VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY is in UK cinemas from Friday 19 June 2026. Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Sign up to the Girls On Film newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iEKaM-/ Or email girlsonfilmsocial@gmail.com to be signed up. Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold Producer: Nicki Glossop Audio Editor: Heather Dempsey Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Bradshaw Partners for this episode were Vue Lumière © HLA Agency #girlsonfilmpodcast #annasmith #womeninfilm #NightAndDayFilm #VirginiaWoolfsNightandDay #virginiawoolf #haleybennett #sallyphillips #jennifersaunders #misiabutler #elyas_m’barek #lilyallen #jackwhitehall #suffragettes #astronomers
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    29 mins
  • Ep 220: The queer feminist horror hit of Cannes + talking gender & body image with Parno Mittra

    Ep 220: The queer feminist horror hit of Cannes + talking gender & body image with Parno Mittra
    May 27 2026
    This episode of Girls On Film comes to you from the French Riviera. We’re here for the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Anna welcomes five guests who talk about films and feminism amid the glamour that is Cannes. First up, Anna discusses the gender balance in some of the festival’s stand out films with film critic Sucharita Tyagi. Their discussion ranges from feminism and trans rights in the darkly comic Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma to the healing power of a canine friend in Chilean dog movie La Perra (Winner of the Palm Dog Award). Next Anna is joined by writer-director Katharina Rivilis in Cannes with her first feature, I’ll Be Gone In June, a semi-autobiographical film in which a young woman’s exchange year in New Mexico is set against the backdrop of 9/11. Film critic and journalist Tomris Laffly joins Anna to talk about her festival highlights including Palme D’Or Winner, Fjord, Marie Kreutzer’s Gentle Monster and comedy drama A Woman’s Life. Finally Anna welcomes Shrimoyee Chakraborti and Parno Mittra to talk about female friendship, their passion for film and their documentary feature, Spirit Of The Wildflower, directed by Shrimoyee and exec produced by Parno. Set in rural India this film follows the lives of two siblings who unite to form a business marketing the traditional tribal drink, mahua. The film explores themes including family, community, feminism and transgender identity. Films mentioned in this episode: I’ll Be Gone In June Spirit Of The Wildflower Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma (release date Aug 21 2026) Elephants In The Fog (Winner of Un Certain Regard Jury Prize) Clarissa Hope I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning (Winner of the Palm Dog Grand Jury Prize) L’Affaire Marie-Clare (Women On Trial) La Perra (Winner of the Palm Dog Award) Once Upon A Time In Harlem Fjord (Winner of the Palme D’Or) Garance Gentle Monster Thelma and Louise (1991) A Woman’s Life Minotaure (Winner of the Grand Prix) Girls On Film would like to thank our fabulous sponsors for their support in Cannes: Astella Jewellery; DISAUTHORITY; Elstree Studios; Hech Nutrition; HLA Agency; IMDb; Jane Owen PR; JJDConsultancy; Lilac Grove Entertainment; Strike Media; The Members Club In Cannes; Variety. Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.5patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Sign up to the Girls On Film newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iEKaM-/ Or email girlsonfilmsocial@gmail.com to be signed up. Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold Producer: Nicki Glossop Audio Editor: Benjamin Cook Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw Principal Partners: Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith Sponsors: Lilac Grove Entertainment © HLA Agency #girlsonfilmpodcast #annasmith #womeninfilm #womenfilmcritics #cannesfilmfestival #PalmedOr #festivaldecannes #cannes2026 #diversityincannes #parnomittra #su4ita #shrimoyeec #katharina_rivilis #AstellaJewellery #disauthority #IMDb #jopr #JJDConsultancy #elstreestudios #LilacGroveEnt #hlaagency #HechNutrition #strikemedia #variety #themembersclubincannes
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    49 mins
  • Ep 219: From Mexico to Cannes: a new film about Leonora Carrington + How to do PR at a film fest

    Ep 219: From Mexico to Cannes: a new film about Leonora Carrington + How to do PR at a film fest
    May 8 2026
    Anna speaks to three women with different perspectives on the film industry. First up, director Lena Vurma and actor Olivia Vinall discuss their new film Leonora in the Morning Light, a visually glorious exploration of the life and work of artist Leonora Carrington. Lena explains what drew her to make a film about one of surrealism’s lesser-known figures whilst Olivia shares the challenges and rewards of embodying a woman whose life spanned continents and who experienced war and mental illness alongside the difficulties and joys of a career as a female artist. They talk about the film’s extraordinary locations in Mexico and the South of France and the female friendship at the heart of Carrington’s story. In the second half of the show, Anna is joined by Jane Owen who discusses her role as founder of award-winning Public Relations company, Jane Owen PR. Jane tells us how her PR team prepares for the parties, networking and deal-making opportunities at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. She also shares her PR highlights of the last few years, and her love of old movies and the stars who made them. Jane talks about positive changes in the industry, which present opportunities for smaller indie films and shares the skills essential for success in film PR. Leonora in the Morning Light is on general release in UK cinemas from 29th May 2026. Find further details about the film and screenings here: https://www.modernfilms.com/leonora DIRECTORS Thor Klein & Lena Vurma CAST Olivia Vinall, Alexander Scheer, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Ryan Gage, Istvan Teglas, Luis Gerardo Mendez Other films mentioned in this episode: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.5patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Sign up to the Girls On Film newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iEKaM-/ Or email girlsonfilmsocial@gmail.com to be signed up. Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold Producer: Nicki Glossop Audio Editor: Jack Howard Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw With thanks to Principal Partners Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith, and our sponsors for this episode, Lilac Grove Entertainment © HLA Agency
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    37 mins
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