Cinegirl
We were very curious to meet the woman behind the beautifully curated magazine Cinegirl. As Cinemamas, we felt immediately connected to the project by only reading the name on Instagram.
Eager to get to know each other, we got in touch with Francesca Zerenghi, a mother of two, an Entrepreneur, a Lecturer and a passionate story hunter.
1. The Cinegirl Story. How did it all start?
Cinegirl was born of out my own personal needs, to connect with women and be part of a community,
Cinegirl is aimed at empowering women working within the film and tv industry. Cinegirl is a network for women aiming at welcoming women into a community, providing support and network.
While raising a beautiful little woman, called Ottavia, I attended film school and successfully graduated with an MA in Cinematography. The combination of freelance work as a Cinematographer and years of corporate management, sparked the idea of Cinegirl. I felt that something needed to be done about the fact that women often found it harder to achieve their dream than men - appearing to be caused by a difference in way of behaving and confidence instead of a superior skill set. The notion that men were employed on their potential and women not, somehow had to be changed.
“Recognising the importance of surrounding yourself by intelligent, generous and inspiring women will undoubtedly increase your own confidence and network” is the ethos behind Cinegirl.
2. What is your professional background and what challenges (if any) did you face coming into the industry later in your career?
After returning back from Singapore and Dubai, where I lived for numerous years, while successfully running a consulting company, I decided to step away from the corporate world and embark in my true passion: the world of the arts. My background as freelancer is within the camera department working across various roles.
3. What previous experiences have helped shape the development of Cinegirl?
I was once on set and was wearing red nail polish and a Camera Operator made a comment on how it was distracting. That summed it for me really.
4. Cinegirl has a very stylish aesthetic and curated editorial content. What can you tell us about the team and the magazine's creative approach and process?
Cinegirl is the team. The Team is Cinegirl. Cinegirl would not exist without them. I believe that in order to create something unique, you need to feel free. Freedom of expressing your own interests, views and passions. All writers are freelancers within the industry. They know the struggle! Ahah! They are free to explore any topics they feel passionate about.
5. You talk to many talented women in different areas of the industry, are there any common issues that come up frequently?
Yes. Always feeling the need to apologise and hesitating in making that first leap into the freelance world. Men are much bolder. Women are their own worst enemy sometimes. However, we all share one vision - equality and freedom. I also found that all the incredible women/men/non-binary/transgender I have interviewed have such deep passion and true dedication to their careers - I’m always in awe.
6. Are there any women in particular that you look up to or whose work you have been influenced by or greatly admire?
My mother for sure. You always knew where you stood with her. I have a major crush on Fran Lebowitz. Her contrarianism is often misunderstood but I just love it.
7. Has becoming a mother changed your approach to the industry? And has it affected the Cinegirl mission in any way?
I started working in the industry as a parent, and that already made me aware of so many flaws. It got to a point that I could not afford to work because I would not be able to sustain the childcare costs. This is insane. By 2023, the UK's entertainment and media market worth is projected to reach 80.5 billion British pounds. Crazy right?
8. Among many things, you are a podcaster, Cinegirl founder and Editor-in chief, a Cinematographer, lecturer and mother. Which has been your greatest achievement thus far?
All of the above. Ahah! People often ask me how I juggle my lifestyle and work and everything…I usually say that I would definitely not be calling it a lifestyle! Ahha!
If you want to learn more about Cinegirl, follow them on their socials!
Instagram: @cinegirlmag
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cinegirlm?lang=en