For something that half the population will experience, menopause remains startlingly absent from the stories we see on screen – or behind the scenes.

A new event at this year’s Cork International Film Festival aims to change that. Taking place on Saturday 15 November 2025 at Nano Nagle Place, Menopause & the Screen: A Dual Lens – From Perception to Representation brings together screen professionals, storytellers, and researchers to explore how menopause is portrayed in film and TV — and how it’s experienced by those working in the industry.

The event is part of the Menopause Awareness Programme for the Screen Sector, developed by industry partners and the National Talent Academies. It’s believed to be the first programme of its kind globally tailored specifically for people working in film and television.

While 75–80% of people experience hot flashes or night sweats during menopause, and many face symptoms that interfere with daily life, media portrayals remain scarce and stereotypical. In Ireland, a national survey found that 79% of women rated available menopause information and support as poor or very poor, with the majority feeling unprepared.

In the media, menopause is also often sidelined — largely reduced to a one-liner, a meltdown, or a symbolic sign of decline. But this event asks: what if menopause were a narrative of power, transformation, or simply a part of life — not an ending?

The day opens with a creative workshop led by screenwriter Jennifer Davidson, inviting writers to engage directly with these questions. Through scene work, character remixing, and facilitated reflection, participants will be challenged to write menopause back into the frame — truthfully and imaginatively.

After, a panel discussion will expand the lens. Moderated by Dr Susan Liddy, President of Women in Film & TV International and a leading voice for gender equality in the industry, the panel will explore how cultural, structural, and creative forces continue to shape what — and who — we see on screen.

Panellists include:

  • Deborah Jermyn, academic and author specialising in representations of midlife women in media
  • Janicke Askevolde, Norwegian director known for character-driven, emotionally intelligent work
  • Max Brady, Irish producer and advocate for people-first production practices
  • Louise Mathews, an experienced crew member who will bring a vital on-set perspective — especially relevant for freelance workers managing menopause in unpredictable, physically demanding roles

Speaking ahead of the event, panellist Max Brady reflects on why this conversation matters:

“Sarah Ahmed said, ‘Stigma thrives where there is silence.’ I hold that as a tenet — because in creativity, silence never changes anything.”

The event concludes with a screening of Solomamma — a quietly radical film about a woman in her 40s who chooses to become a mother via sperm donation. The story mirrors many of the themes explored throughout the day: autonomy, visibility, choice.

This event offers something rare: a chance to rewrite not only scripts but systems. From perception, to representation, to production culture, it’s about asking who gets to age, transform, or be seen — with dignity and complexity — on screen.

Registration is free and now open via www.nationaltalentacademies.ie. Open to all working in the Irish screen sector.