Variety and Chanel launched the red carpet for the annual women at a film dinner at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday night. Shailene Woodley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ethan Hawke, Jessie Buckley, Zachary Quinto and Edgar Ramirez were among the VIP participants who gathered at Soho House for a luxury event hosted by variety co-editor Ramin Setoodeh.
Guests from a town with TIFF films, including Bob Odenkirk (“Normal”), James McAvoy (“California Simin”), and Ben Foster (“Christie”), toasted winners of this year’s Chanel Network of Female Writers, nibbling on Salmon Kurds, General Maitake and Brangino. The year-round program was created to kickstart careers for women and non-binary alumni at TIFF Writers Studios.
Setoodeh, along with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and Chanel Canada CEO Gregoire Collignon, spoke to the revelers in a speech highlighting the progress of the woman behind the camera.
Anna Diop of Chanel & Variety Women’s film dinner was held at the Toronto International Film Festival in Soho House Toronto, Canada on September 6th, 2025.
Michelle Quans
“We understand the importance of expression. Every person who goes to the film wants to see themselves reflected on the big screen,” Setoodeh says. “This is a truly important job by Chanel. In the six years since the end of this event, I have seen first-time screenwriters meet some of the industry’s biggest actors and directors. The producers have learned about the talent they’re going forward and have seen the connections they’ve made in this annual collaboration of dinner fuel.”
For Bailey, a festival celebrating its 50th anniversary, men need to play a role in inclusion efforts to succeed.
Added by Bailey: “Yes, you’re three guys talking about supporting women here. But if men don’t support women in the film, then no change will happen. So we’re committed to the goals of this program. …We’re in the mood for celebration. We’ve been given the authority to lead the future of film.”
Woodley, Mbatha-Raw and Buckley were all ambassadors of the Chanel brand, as were the others who attended, such as “Couture” director Alice Winocourt and stars Anier Aney and Ella Lampfe, and “Franz” actress Katharina Stark and London rapper Little Size.
Carrie Elwes is a guest of Chanel & Variety Women at the Toronto International Film Festival held in Toronto, Canada on September 6, 2025 at Soho House Toronto.
Michelle Quans
Along with his wife’s manager, Naomi Odenkirk, Odenkirk, he spoke to the law enforcement community about how he would make the “fargo”-esque dark comedy “normal.” Watching Odenkirk plays a small town sheriff, the film sparks a conversation about inclusivity. “I know a lot of cops and I want them to watch this movie. It’s important for them to see this type of representation on screen.”
