Open Chair Safety Allies
Loeries Creative Week is around the corner. And we’d all like to celebrate and have a good time without any fear or threat for our safety. Let’s be blunt - no one needs another Veli Ngubane incident.
CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 2 with Gale Maimane
Darling Films director and Open Chair Lioness Gale Maimane is experiencing Cannes Lions for the first time, and by day two she's already learned some valuable lessons: always eat breakfast, walking is often faster than traffic, and the best conversations aren't always the ones happening on stage.
Open Chair sends 14 South African women to Cannes Lions 2026
There’s something powerful about women opening doors for other women, especially in an industry where access still shapes who gets seen, heard, and celebrated. This year, Open Chair once again secured passes through the Cannes Lions ERA Programme, sending 14 South African women to Cannes. The Croisette won’t know what hit it.
Seats secured, Open Chair sends 15 South African women to Cannes
As part of this year’s Cannes Lions build-up, we’re celebrating a powerful initiative that’s all about access and representation. Open Chair, the platform founded by industry powerhouse Suhana Gordhan to uplift and connect women across the creative industry, successfully secured 15 passes for South African women through the festival’s global ERA Programme (Equity, Representation, and Accessibility).
Friends in High Places
During Loeries Creative Week, Open Chair, in partnership with Nedbank, hosted a speed dating afternoon with a difference. Aptly called, “Friends in High Places,” it was held at The Cape Wheel at the Waterfront. 65 mentees had face time with 31 mentors from across the industry. The pods on the wheel served as an ideal safe space for these women to share their stories and receive guidance.