Inside CHANEL And Tribeca’s 11th Annual Through Her Lens Luncheon — And The Surprise Birthday That Stole The Show

Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

At Locanda Verde in New York City on September 22, CHANEL and Tribeca Enterprises co-founder Jane Rosenthal gathered women from across film, music and the arts for the 11th annual Through Her Lens: The Tribeca CHANEL Women’s Filmmaker Program luncheon. The occasion celebrated ten emerging filmmakers selected for this year’s program — and the creative community CHANEL and Tribeca have built around them.

Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Halle Berry, Regina King, H.E.R., Riley Keough, Misty Copeland, Celine Song, Patty Jenkins, Rosie Perez and Emmy Rossum were among the guests. Actors, directors, writers, producers, casting directors and costume designers filled the room, reflecting the range of expertise the program brings within reach of its participants.

“For years, we’ve talked about giving women a seat at the table,” Rosenthal told the gathering. “I don’t think a seat is enough anymore. We need our own table.” She urged those with the power to open doors to keep them open for the women coming behind them.

Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

That commitment extends beyond the luncheon. Over the past 11 years, CHANEL and Tribeca have supported more than 100 filmmakers and 50 films through Through Her Lens. The event begins a three-day workshop in which this year’s participants will work with mentors on script development, directing, music composition and costume design before pitching their projects to an expert jury. One team will receive full financing to produce its short film with support from Tribeca Studios; four others will receive development grants.

“Talent has never been the problem. Access is,” Rosenthal said. Through Her Lens gives emerging filmmakers both the practical support to make a film and a community of established creatives invested in what they make next.’

Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

The afternoon also held a surprise for Rosenthal: Robert De Niro appeared to sing “Happy Birthday” to his Tribeca co-founder, who had turned 70 the day before. It was a personal moment in a luncheon centered on a larger idea — what becomes possible when women in the industry champion the voices coming after them.

See more photos from the event below!

Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

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