The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) has launched the ninth edition of its Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme, a 12-month mentoring scheme aimed at addressing gender imbalance in the industry. Fourteen female cinema professionals will participate in this year’s programme, receiving mentorship and career advice from prominent women executives in the cinema landscape. The initiative aims to empower and encourage female professionals to realize their full potential in the industry. Mentors and mentees from 12 countries and 27 companies are part of this year’s programme, showcasing a diverse and inclusive approach to leadership development in the cinema exhibition sector.
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UNIC LAUNCHES NINTH EDITION OF THE WOMEN’S CINEMA LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
Brussels/Barcelona: 18 June 2025 – The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European cinema trade grouping, today launched the ninth edition of its Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme, a 12-month mentoring scheme for women in cinema.
As a result, another cohort of talented female cinema professionals – fourteen
this year – will get an exclusive opportunity to learn, enjoy networking opportunities and receive career advice from outstanding women executives from across the cinema landscape, each recognised for their leadership and business successes.
The programme remains UNIC’s flagship initiative to help address the gender imbalance at senior levels of the industry and works to encourage and empower female professionals as the industry looks to realise its full potential. The 2025/26 edition welcomes the following key female leaders and rising female professionals from the cinema exhibition landscape,
representing 12 countries and 27 companies:
Mentors
Clarissa Bergh,
Managing Director, Lillehammer Kino, Norway
Grainne Clarke
, Head of Corporate Sales & Partnerships, Cineworld Cinemas, UK
Mariam El Bacha
, Independent Cinema Expert EMEA, Denmark
Beatrice Flammini
, Senior Vice President Government and Regulatory Affairs, NBCUniversal, Belgium
Laura Fumagalli
,
Head of Marketing and Events, ARCADIA Cinema
Sabine Goldie-Auger
,
Retail Director, Pathé Cinémas, France
Ruth Hinton
, Group Head of Customer Experience and Insights, Vue, UK
Mary Kouinoglou
, Senior Vice President, Theatrical, EMEA Licensees, Sony Pictures, UK
Anna Marsh
, CEO, StudioCanal, France
Finola McLoughlin
, Executive Director, EMEA Theatrical Distribution, Warner Bros Pictures Group, UK
Katarina Nyman
, Country Manager & Director of Film Distribution, Nordisk Film, Finland
Anna Paprocka
, Head of Programming, Regent Street Cinema, UK
Mette Schramm
, Cinema Manager / CEO / Owner, Reprise Teatret, Empire Bio & Reel Pictures, Denmark
Suzie Welch
, Managing Director UKI & Group Chief People Officer, Odeon Cinemas Group, UK
Mentees
Ann Karin Atterås
, Cinema Manager, Voss Kino, Norway
Koyin Awomolo
, Account Manager, Harkness Screens, UK
Patricia Cüppers
, Senior Digital Marketing Manager, Yorck-Kino GmbH, Germany
Nena Loncar
, Client Insights Manager, Comscore, UK
Katrin Mathe-Cotillon
, Senior Manager Theatrical Marketing EMEA, Crunchyroll, France
Oanh Nguyenova
, Commercial and Business Development Manager, Gruvi, Portugal
Paola Parini
, Junior Manager, Multisala King, Italy
Beatriz Romero Fernández-Paniagua
, Head of Treasury, Budgeting, and Financial Reporting, Yelmo Cines, Spain
Magda Rotko
, Content Curator Lead, Vista Group, Germany
E
lin Svärdendahl
, Senior Film Booker, Filmstaden, Odeon
Cinemas Group, Sweden
Daniela Tamburrino
, Cinema Manager, Lucisano Media Group, Italy
Lesley van der Woude
, Head of Film Programming UK/US, Rooftop Cinema Club, US
Claire Wyckaert
, Marketing Manager – Programs, Barco, Belgium
Samira Zaïbat
, Director, The Mouv’, Jolifanto ASBL / European Parliament, Belgium
Welcoming this latest edition of the programme, UNIC CEO Laura Houlgatte commented:
“Since its launch in 2017, the programme has evolved into a vibrant and supportive network of over 180 exceptional female professionals. We are continually inspired by their passion, growth, and commitment to shaping a more inclusive future for our industry.
A heartfelt thank you to each of these incredible women — and to our dedicated ‘Champions of the Programme’ — IMAX Corporation, Vista Group, and Barco — for their ongoing support in helping us build a strong and diverse community of talents.
We warmly welcome our new mentees and mentors, and send our sincere congratulations to this year’s graduating cohort!
To quote Michelle Obama: “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”
Laure Galtier Buettner, UNIC’s Events & Project Manager added:
“As we enter the ninth edition of the programme, it’s inspiring to see how far this community has come — and how much potential lies ahead. Each mentor and mentee brings something unique, and it’s a privilege to support their journey. Together, we are fostering lasting connections and real change across the industry.”
Source: Press Release