S1 Ep2: Always on: Christmas - Favourite Christmas Films, Nostalgia and What’s Coming in 2026…

Join Immi, Kitty and Lou for another episode, this time sitting down with the brilliant screenwriter Jess O’Kane, whose latest feature, Bad Apples, brings a darkly comic twist to the world of education. From an early love of Pride and Prejudice and romantic period dramas to finding her way into screenwriting, Jess has built a career around her love of a good story with a dark twist. Her recent film, Bad Apples, directed by Jonatan Etzler and starring Saoirse Ronan, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before screening at the BFI London Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Film. We chat to Jess about her journey into screenwriting, the differences between writing for film and television, and her love for screenplay itself. She also takes us behind the scenes of Bad Apples, sharing an insight into her creative process and how she brings a story from the page to the screen. Tune in to hear Jess’s journey through film...

Join Immi, Kitty and Lou for another episode, this time sitting down with the wonderful Delainey Hayles. From an early love of theatre to training at the prestigious BRIT School and National Youth Theatre, Delainey has had a whirlwind few years, taking her from London’s West End to the big screen and beyond. We chat to Delainey about everything from her self-tape audition techniques and the wild audition story behind her role as Claudia, to filming some of those unforgettable standout scenes in Interview with the Vampire. We also hear about her journey so far, the lessons she’s picked up along the way, and what it’s like navigating the industry as a young actor. Tune in to hear Delainey’s journey through film…

Join Immi, Kitty and Lou for another episode, this time chatting to the incredible Clare Binns, Creative Director of Picturehouse. From starting out as an usher at the Ritzy Cinema to becoming one of the most influential voices in UK cinema, Clare’s journey is one of passion, community and an unwavering love for film, culminating in her receiving a BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema. We chat to Clare about her love of international film, the power of cinema to bring people and communities together, and her work championing the next generation of filmmakers through initiatives such as Picturehouse Create. Tune in to hear Clare’s journey through film...

Join Immi, Kitty and Lou for another conversation, this time with the brilliant Caris Rianne. From growing up with a love of film and the escapism it offered, while often feeling like she didn’t quite belong, to founding Rianne Pictures and the now BAFTA-qualifying Women X Film Festival, Caris has carved out a career built around creating space, opportunity and connection through film. In this episode, we chat to Caris about her journey so far: the power of championing women and underrepresented voices, the empowerment that can come from saying no, and the importance of building meaningful film opportunities beyond London. Tune in to hear Caris’ journey through film…

Welcome back for Season 2! We’re so happy to have you with us for another season. To kick things off, Immi, Kitty and Lou are taking you through some of the key female figures who have shaped the film industry, from Alice Guy-Blaché, widely recognised as the first recorded female film director, and her groundbreaking film La Fée aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy), all the way to Kathryn Bigelow’s history-making Oscar win and the influential women making their mark today. We’ll be exploring their stories, achievements and the barriers they broke along the way, celebrating the women who have helped shape film as we know it. Watch La Fée aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy) here: https://youtu.be/-Ewo-jcNYRI?si=QClFB__SA7sUDlkn , and find our research resources below: Immi’s Section: BFI Article https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/female-gaze-100-overlooked-films-directed-by-women? AFI Article https://www.afi.com/news/alice-guy-blache-afi-catalog-spotlight/ Harvard Gazette Article https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/11/radcliffe-fellow-explores-early-female-film-pioneers/? Science Institute Article https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/where-are-my-children-public-health-in-the-movies/? AFI Catalog https://catalog.afi.com/Film/14392-WHERE-ARE-MY-CHILDREN?cp=1&pos=0&sid=ee081118-cfbe-423f-86f6-f88b70537736&sr=4.887564& BFI Article https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/where-begin-with-early-women-filmmakers? BFI Player https://player.bfi.org.uk/rentals/film/watch-the-marvellous-mabel-normand-the-leading-lady-of-film-comedy-2018-online AFI Article https://www.afi.com/news/mabel-normand-afi-catalog-spotlight/? UCLA Article https://cinema.ucla.edu/touring-series/directed-by-dorothy-arzner-tour-2003/ Harvard Article https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/11/radcliffe-fellow-explores-early-female-film-pioneers/? Kitty’s section: Bechdel Test Online https://bechdeltest.com Alison Bechdel interview on the origins of the test https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/02/alison-bechdel-test-dykes-to-watch-out-for-cartoonist-interview Lou’s section: The Celluloid Ceiling - 28th Edition https://womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-Celluloid-Ceiling-Report.pdf USC Annenberg - 2024 was a historic year for women in film https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/2024-was-historic-year-women-film USC Annenberg - DEI is DOA: Hollywood’s lack of progress toward inclusion https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/dei-doa-hollywoods-lack-progress-toward-inclusion USC Annenberg - Was 2023 the year of the woman director? Survey says… no https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/was-2023-year-woman-director-survey-says%E2%80%A6-no