Kate Winslet helps L'Oreal Paris launch female filmmaker award

Kate Winslet has teamed up with L'Oreal Paris to help pick the winner of the beauty brand's first-ever Lights on Women Award.

The Oscar-winning actress was announced as the new global brand ambassador for the French cosmetics giant earlier this month, and she will be taking her partnership with the company to the Cannes Film Festival next month.

The Lights on Women Award will honour a rising female filmmaker and the winner will be chosen from the festival's Short Films competition as well as short film programmes from international film schools.

The Titanic actress will serve as the competition's first juror and announce the recipient on 16 July during a prize ceremony at Jeune Cinema dinner in Cannes.

"What an honour to preside as juror over this remarkable recognition for women filmmakers and to have an opportunity to celebrate such incredible talent," Winslet said in a statement, reports WWD. "It is essential that we work together as a community to pursue gender parity within our industry, and I am delighted to support the L'Oréal Paris family on this important initiative."

The winner of the Lights on Woman Award will receive financial support of up to €30,000 ($35,700/£25,700), a platform for more visibility and access to other women in cinema.

"L'Oréal Paris is a feminine and feminist brand. We believe in empowering women to overcome barriers and to have a long-term positive social impact within their communities," explained Délphine Viguier-Hovasse, global brand president of L'Oréal Paris. "The massive under-representation of women in film requires large-scale support, and I am proud to use our brand platform and resources to stand up for women's visibility, with the help of the incredible female actors who represent our brand. I firmly believe in advocating for talented women and holding space for them to shine."

L'Oreal Paris has been the official make-up artist for the Cannes Film Festival since 1997, and its ambassadors are usually spotted on the red carpet.

This year's festival runs from 6 to 17 July.