Halle Berry Says Anti-Violence Film and Portraying a ‘Female Way of Dealing With Violence’ Is ‘Something the World Needs Right Now’ While Presenting Tribeca’s Through Her Lens Winners

The sun set on a perfect fall evening in New York City as emerging writers, directors and producers mingled with industry giants in a rustic Greenwich Village penthouse. As hors d’oeuvres and a never-ending supply of lemon water were passed around the room, the crowd awaited the announcement of this year’s Chanel x Tribeca Through Her Lens program which awards one team full financing to produce their short film. For the past three days, entrants had taken part in workshops, one-on-one mentorship and industry conversations before culminating in a live pitch to a jury which this year included Halle Berry, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Regina King, Ella Rubin and Meg Ryan.

It’s a story near to Little’s heart, based on her own life experience. The past three days have transformed both her and Yorsh, not only as storytellers and filmmakers, but as women. As the pair head back to Los Angeles, they agree their biggest takeaway is “how important it is right now for us to have agency and autonomy over our own stories.

I think we’re going to continue to do that.” “I don’t think, as a woman, our first instinct is to fight,” Berry adds. We’re nurturers of our families. More often than not, we’re willing to talk something out and find a peaceful resolution.

That’s the difference between men and women. I thought we were just going to hear the pitch,;” King jokes later in the evening. But hearing these stories and meeting the women telling them reminds her why she loves the business.

Each team’s omnipresent individuality gives her hope. I note that there’s something beautiful about being able to ground yourself in the future, in a good way, given the current news cycle. She corrects me: “In a great way.” Emerging from the three-day experience, King says she’s taking off her blinders.

Having this experience reminds me that everything is not right in front of me.” This year’s mentors included Past Lives” and “Materialists” filmmaker Celine Song, playwright and filmmaker Aleshea Harris (“Is God Is”), producer Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, actress Fala Chen and “The Woman King” director Gina Prince-Bythewood. Through it all, King thought about her next film as a director, grateful that her sister, Reina King, has been her filmmaking partner through it all. All of this stuff is a sliding scale.”