Speaking

RECENT PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Speaking engagements that Hong Kong based writer/director Joanna Bowers has recently undertaken talking about The Helper documentary and empowering women in the media…

  • TAP: CREATIVE TALKS – Championing Women in Creative at Soho House

As a senior female creative in Hong Kong, Joanna was invited to share some stories of how she has overcame challenges during her career and to share advice on how to champion other women in creative industries.

  • HONG KONG EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMISSION – SCREENING AND Q&A

Joanna joined Liza Avelino, one of the stars of the documentary for a Q&A following the first Hong Kong governmental department screening of The Helper.  Audience members included consular attendees from the US, Philippines and Thai Consulates as well as Eni Lestari chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance.

Eni Lestari, Chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance commending the humanity portrayed in The Helper

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  • INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT STATE STREET’S “FEARLESS WOMEN” LUNCH

Joanna was invited to deliver the keynote at State Street’s Executive Women’s lunch in celebration of the one year anniversary and impact of their “Fearless Girl” statue appearing in New York’s financial district.  Joanna spoke about her journey making The Helper documentary, the impact of the film and what being fearless means to her!

  • INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT SPEAKER – “PRESS FOR PROGRESS”

Joanna was invited to speak about how she’s pressing for progress as a filmmaker, mother and “accidental activist” at this inspirational women’s event for Hong Kong’s curated by dynamic leaders from Hong Kong’s female entrepreneur community.

  • 10×10 PHILANTHROPY CROWDFUNDRAISING EVENT

Joanna was one of three panelists/dragons selected for this “Dragon’s Den” style crowd fundraising event that raised over HKD 500,000 for three Hong Kong charities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oimLqbhlUw4&feature=youtu.be

   

  • DEUTSCHE BANK/ CREDIT SUISSE/ MORGAN STANLEY/ CLIFFORD CHANCE

Joanna joined employees and guests of Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and Clifford Chance for a private screening of The Helper documentary.  The screening was followed by an insightful Q&A session with many audience members sharing how much the film had affected them personally.

Joanna Bowers with Harriet Unger from Deutsche Bank at The Helper private screening

  • LI & FUNG FOUNDATION

Joanna was invited to share her experiences filming The Helper speaking at  Li & Fung Foundation’s “Guerrilla Sessions” hosted by The Workshop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Pqy0t0F1E&feature=youtu.be

Director Joanna Bowers with the team from Li & Fung's Innovation LabDirector Joanna Bowers speaking at Li & Fung's Guerrilla Lab

  • HONG KONG FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB

The Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club hosted a private media screening of The Helper documentary. Afterwards, Joanna joined cast members Liza Avelino, Analyn Tapil and Jane Engelmann for a lively panel discussion and Q&A session.

Panel at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club after The Helper documentary screening

  • N3 NEW, NOW, NEXT MEDIA CONFERENCE 

“Independent Filmmaking in the age of disruption”

Joanna spoke about being and independent filmmaker in Hong Kong as well as financing and producing The Helper documentary using a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.

http://www.n3con.com/2017/

 

  • WOMEN OF INFLUENCE CONFERENCE 

“Influencing wider societal change to enable opportunities for women and others” 

Joanna joined a panel chaired by Alia Marwah Eyres, CEO of Mothers Choice to discuss how producing and directing The Helper documentary has potential to impact many Hong Kong migrant worker women’s lives in a very positive way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILRlKFpzcFk&feature=youtu.be

Joanna Bowers with panelists at the Amcham Women Of Influence ConferenceSpeakers at the Amcham Women Of Influence Conference

  • BLOOMBERG – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PANEL 

“Empowerment of Migrant Domestic Workers”

Joanna joined panelists from Enrich and cast member of The Helper Liza Avelino to discuss how financial literacy initiatives have the potential to hugely impact migrant domestic workers.

http://www.enrichhk.org/2017/03/empower-her-liza-avelino/

Joanna Bowers with panelists at Bloomberg's International Womens Day event

  • EUROPEAN UNION OFFICE TO HONG KONG AND MACAO – CIVIL SOCIETY MEETING ON THE SITUATION OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS

Joanna shared her experiences producing The Helper documentary and shared a “sneak preview” scene from the film to an audience from the  Hong Kong Consular and NGO community.

  • INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S INSOLVENCY AND RESTRUCTURING FEDERATION – BREAKFAST BITES SPEAKER 

Joanna shared her insights and experiences on the challenges facing migrant workers and what she had learned while making The Helper documentary.

https://www.iwirc.com/networks/hong-kong/photos/1909/breakfast-bite-1-2016

Joanna Bowers speaking at IWIRC breakfast event

  • CREATIVE MORNINGS HONG KONG 

“Action”

Joanna and her producing partner Tony Verb shared their plans for their feature documentary The Helper exploring the lives of Hong Kong’s migrant domestic worker population.  In addition they shared the trailer and details of the Kickstarter campaign they were running to fund production of the film.

https://creativemornings.com/talks/joanna-bowers-tony-verb

Joanna Bowers and Tony Verb speak at Creative Mornings

  • Pechakucha Hong Kong 

“How The Helper Documentary Came To Be

Joanna share a brief insight into her motivation to make The Helper documentary.

http://www.pechakucha.org/cities/hong-kong/presentations/how-the-helper-documentary-came-to-be

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