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London Film Festival Celebrates Scarlett Johansson's Directorial Debut
10 Nov
Summary
- Scarlett Johansson's first feature film as director, "Eleanor the Great," premieres at the festival
- Festival co-founder Mariia Vynogradova emphasizes the importance of women's voices in cinema
- Jury member Victoria Emslie discusses the film's exploration of loneliness and the power of community
The London Women and the World International Film Festival (WWIFF) concluded its second edition on November 12th, 2025, with a focus on celebrating women's voices in cinema. The festival's highlight was the premiere of Scarlett Johansson's first feature film as a director, "Eleanor the Great."
Jury member Victoria Emslie praised the film, stating that it "invites us to confront and sit in the messiness of loneliness, both in the present moment and through an intergenerational lens; and challenges the perceived risks of connection by letting ourselves be truly seen and known by others." Emslie emphasized the importance of community in an increasingly polarized world, noting that the festival's "ripple effects" extend beyond the event itself.
The festival's co-founder, Mariia Vynogradova, who also hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, expressed her deep passion for the event, saying, "We truly love this festival with all our hearts because it's about youth, sensuality, possibility, and social meaning. It reminds us why women's voices in cinema matter more than ever."
The festival's opening night saw the presentation of the Women of Global Impact Award to Nicole Ansari-Cox for her advocacy work with displaced women globally. Ansari-Cox stressed the need to continue supporting refugee women and filmmakers from around the world, stating, "Whenever women rise, communities heal. This festival proves that art can be a bridge between pain and hope."
