Chanel x Tribeca Through Her Lens Award Goes to 'Cowards'
Gem Little and Kseniya Yorsh win full financing for their short film 'Cowards' at the Chanel x Tribeca Through Her Lens program, with a jury including Halle Berry and Regina King.
The Chanel x Tribeca Through Her Lens program has awarded full financing to writer-director Gem Little and producer Kseniya Yorsh for their short film Cowards. The announcement follows a three-day program that included workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and industry conversations, culminating in a live pitch.
Set on a summer day in 1999 in Chicago, Cowards follows an 11-year-old girl named Diamond. The story is based on Little's own life experience.
The 2025 jury comprised Halle Berry, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Regina King, Ella Rubin, and Meg Ryan. Mentors for the program included Celine Song, Aleshea Harris, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Fala Chen, and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Berry said a film on anti-violence and a female way of dealing with violence was something the world needs right now. The program, reported by Variety, awards one team full financing to produce a short film.
Quick answers
Who won the Chanel x Tribeca Through Her Lens award?
Writer-director Gem Little and producer Kseniya Yorsh won for their short film Cowards.
What is Cowards about?
Cowards is set on a summer day in 1999 in Chicago and follows an 11-year-old girl named Diamond. It is based on Gem Little's own life experience.
Who was on the 2025 jury?
The jury included Halle Berry, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Regina King, Ella Rubin, and Meg Ryan.