2020 has been a year of great challenges but also a year of opportunities and learning. At Worldwide Audiovisual Women Association we have found different ways to connect and continue the task of enlarging contact networks for all our members.
Facing a pandemic and continuing working is very difficult, but women in this organization have not stopped for an instant looking for ways to get out of this crisis practicing innovative ways to make business.
At WAWA we can proudly say that our goals at the beginning of this rugged 2020 have been met and have greatly exceeded our expectations. A wonderful alliance with Lifetime has been signed at the beginning of the year. As a result, we could accomplish together two sessions of Master Classes with Latin America celebrities and a short film contest based on human rights.
The collaboration and disposition of the assigned teams to these projects was a show of empathy and synergy that manifests itself when the will to produce and create is present.
Another of WAWA’s great tasks was to produce a series about women’s strength. Ideas were presented, possibilities were evaluated until and idea came true and a series of 8 shows were born going virtually to 16 cities, 8 countries and 4 different continents looking for anonymous heroines.
This could not be in any other way, because WAWA was telling us its own story, the challenges and difficulties it has faced to become the institution it is today.
The series “Extraordinary Women” is a beautiful reflection of what this institution represents: effort, work, determination and success.
We quickly got our first spot on Latin America TV. SER TV, the Panama state channel and Giselle González, its CEO, signed a deal with our association not only to broadcast the show but also to generate content under “Extraordinary Women” franchise.
Another big goal was to make deals with other audiovisual institutions in the area and bring new ideas and different points of view to our discussion panels about what’s happening in our industry in Latin America and worldwide.
We can proudly say that Egeda Platino Industria, Film Market Hub, Reed Midem and Conecta Fiction are part of that group of friends that our foundation has. We can feel a great dynamism in our working tables and the collaboration is already showing results.
We cannot forget the endless support we’ve received from colleagues in the industry. The advertising and coverage of our events has been a big incentive to promote the call and registration of new members. We feel grateful and honored for the unconditional support we have received.
It is also important to mention that our institution has grown this year not only thanks to the registry of new members, but also to the work of members who have generously donated their time and creativity to the different committees and events.
WAWA has new goals for 2021 and pretends to bring more women to its institution to continue its work, close new deals and conquer new markets.
The new platform WAWA CONNECTS will be one of the most efficient tools where our wawas will be able to invite their associates to talk, exchange material and get together in groups to learn in detail what they do.
It makes us really happy to have come so far in such a short time and have created a space for modern, professional and proactive women that are already transforming the industry.
But we are inclusive at WAWA and we believe in diversity, so we are creating a new series for 2021, the production of “Extraordinary Men”, which like our first production is looking for anonymous heroes who help women.
Here at WAWA we are optimistic about the future. We remain committed to helping those who enter the world of audiovisual content and its distribution for the first time.
This is just the beginning of many more things, and we hope everybody goes back to normal pretty soon. Varied content and creativity fairs overflowing energy of progress and attract dynamic and successful people that have worked hard to get to this complex and exciting world of audiovisual production.
María Elena Useche
WAWA Co-chairwoman
