Bridgerton star to attend Oxford event for women in film industry
The star of Netflix's Bridgerton, Simone Ashley, will attend a film event in Oxford celebrating women in the industry this month.
The actor will join leading star of thriller TV-show Surface, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, along with industry practitioners and university academics as part of a Women In Film event series.
It comes as part of Oxford University's Cultural Programme which will include a free day of screenings, talks and more at venues across Oxford on Monday, May 12.
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Professor Irene Tracey CBE, FRS, FMedSci, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said: "I am delighted that Oxford University's Cultural Programme is bringing together leading industry talent, up-and-coming filmmakers, and Oxford researchers to celebrate and discuss the critical role of women in the film industry.
"The interaction between people with such rich and diverse experiences is sure to spark fascinating conversations.
"I hope many in the local community, as well as university members and alumni, will join us to enjoy these events in Oxford on 12 May."
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— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) April 29, 2025
Also joining the acting stars will be leading industry voices from behind-the-scenes, including Lucy Bevan, casting director for major films like Barbie and The Batman.
Finola Dwyer, two-time Oscar-nominee and BAFTA-winning producer and Oriane Pick, actor and founder of Candid Broads Productions will also be involved in the event.
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Audiences will hear filmmakers breaking down their creative process and learn about the influence of academic research on the film industry in interviews, panel talks and film screenings throughout the day.
This will include a panel discussion at the Sheldonian Theatre introduced by Professor Tracey and featuring world-renowned actors and practitioners.
The panel will also welcome Dr Stacy L Smith, who founded a global think tank studying inequality in entertainment, the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.
Exclusive screenings of new work by the next generation of female filmmakers will be held at the Curzon Theatre, hosted by Ghetto Film School, with explanations from the artists themselves on the productions.
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Josie Bamford, executive producer for the University's Cultural Programme, said: "As we build our programme towards the opening of the new Schwarzman Centre at Oxford University, we passionately believe in bringing together incredible artists, creatives and thinkers to help address some of the biggest issues facing the world at this time.
"It is an honour to welcome Simone Ashley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Dr Stacy L. Smith and many others to Oxford's iconic Sheldonian Theatre for a day that celebrates how women are shaping change and progress in the film and television industry."
Partners in the event also include Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Film Foundation and Film Oxford.
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