Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a Pakistani director who has won two Academy Awards, was recognized at the Cinema for Peace Gala 2025 in Berlin.
Co-directed with Trish Dalton, her film “DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: WOMAN IN CHARGE” won the coveted Cinema for Peace Dove Award for Women’s Empowerment. This honor honors the film’s potent depiction of tenacity, self-reliance, and empowerment via the life of renowned designer Diane von Furstenberg.
In 2013, Nicole Kidman, a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, established the Cinema for Peace Award for Women’s Empowerment. The prize recognizes a film’s noteworthy contribution to highlighting women’s strength and resiliency. This honor, which coincides with the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, highlights the documentary’s significance and applicability in the modern world.
From the development of her famous wrap dress to her ongoing impact as a cultural leader, “DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: WOMAN IN CHARGE,” which debuted at the Tribeca Festival and was widely praised when it was released on Hulu in June 2024, delves into the remarkable life and career of fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg.
“Diana’s tale is one of bravery, tenacity, and self-belief—a tribute to the struggle for women’s rights that is continually contested by those who would prevent us from achieving our goals. Her legacy serves as a reminder that change is always possible and that nothing is absolute.This movie honors not only her life but also the universal reality that, when they embrace who they are, women can do anything. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy remarked, “I am honored to see her spirit recognized at Cinema for Peace, as it continues to inspire generations.”
Additional Information About the Event
Along with Antonio Banderas, this year’s event marked 40 years of Live Aid, Do They Know It’s Christmas, and We Are the World. Sir Bob Geldof was also specially honored for his enormous contribution to humanitarian causes. Dame Helen Mirren, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and Pope Francis were also among the 2024 honorees.
