LONDON–5 OCTOBER, 2024 – The inaugural Prime Video Presents: Trailblazers took place in London today, an event celebrating the women of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. Hosted by Head of Amazon MGM Studios, Jennifer Salke and VP of Prime Video International, Kelly Day, the showcase featured guest appearances from actors Priyanka-Chopra Jonas, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, directors Charlotte Brändström and Louise Hooper, and producers Amy Pascal, Sue Vertue and Lindsey Weber, at Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s South Bank Centre.
Creative talent from in front of and behind the cameras joined Salke and Day for the event, in front of an audience of industry guests, as well as Prime Video female executives including heads of Amazon MGM Studios across the world and leaders of Prime Video nationally and pan-regionally. Anchored by broadcaster Clara Amfo, the event explored themes such as building global franchises, appealing to a younger generation and the rise of action heroines, in discussion with the stars of Prime Video’s biggest series and movies, including star of Citadel and upcoming movie Heads of State Priyanka Chopra Jonas, actor Octavia Spencer, the cast and directors of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and star of Deep Cover, Bryce Dallas Howard. The event also previewed forthcoming international series and movies including Italy’s Citadel: Diana, starring Matilda De Angelis; the UK’s The Devil’s Hour Season 2 with Jessica Raine, Spain’s highly anticipated Culpa Tuya, starring Nicole Wallace; and the upcoming British adaptation My Fault: London, starring Asha Banks; as well as the all-female cast and creative team of La Virgen Roja, based on the story of Hildegart Rodríguez; The Office Australia, starring Felicity Ward and Pimpinero: Blood and Oil, starring Laura Osma.
During the live showcase, Jennifer Salke commented: “We’ve had a mission to be a destination for women all around the world, and we’re starting to see progress with that” and Kelly Day added “we’ve expanded the storytelling so much for women, and it’s brought so many new customers to the service and ignited a lot of passion for our female viewers.”
As part of an on-stage fireside chat, Octavia Spencer said, “For me, there weren’t a lot of female executives. So, to see how vastly different the industry is, how many opportunities are made available to us, I think it’s imperative that we come into the industry with as much in our arsenal as we can give.”
Commenting on the upcoming Australian Original adaption of The Office, Felicity Ward told Clara Amfo “Ricky Gervais approved a female lead. He was very excited about a female lead” and on the importance of female commissioners, Laura Osma (Pimpinero: Blood and Oil) said “so many stories have been hidden for so long but now we can delve into them”.
During a fireside conversation with Jennifer Salke, on what the industry is getting right, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said “I was wanting to get out of the box and here with Amazon is where I got that, it takes huge courage to back local stories”