Nicole Kidman Has Now Worked With 27 Women Directors in 8 Years

Nicole Kidman has arrived at the Cannes Film Festival to receive the Woman in Motion Award from Kering chairman François-Henri Pinault, Cannes president Iris Knobloch, and festival director Thierry Fremaux. Before the awards dinner, Kidman participated in a Kering Woman in Motion talk with Variety’s Angelique Jackson, discussing her dedication to supporting female directors.

In 2017, Kidman committed to working with a female director every 18 months, despite initial uncertainties. Over the past eight years, she has collaborated with 27 female directors in film and television projects.

“I was going to make it possible,” Kidman said, emphasizing the importance of mentoring and protecting female directors to help them succeed. She highlighted the unfair standards women directors face, noting that men often get more chances to recover from failures.

Kidman also focuses on supporting both emerging and established female directors, resisting ageism in the industry. Her recent projects include work with industry veterans like Karyn Kusama and Susanne Bier, as well as newcomers like Halina Reijn and Mimi Cave.

Despite her commitment to female directors, Kidman has no plans to direct herself, preferring to support filmmakers as a producer. She finds fulfillment in acting and collaborating closely with directors.

When Kidman made her vow in 2017, women directed only 4% of top-grossing films. By 2024, that number rose to 13.6%, but Kidman believes it remains low and is committed to increasing it by finding and supporting financial mentors willing to invest in female directors.

Kidman was last at Cannes in 2017 for the 70th Anniversary Prize and will be honored this year with the 10th Woman in Motion Award during a May 18 dinner.