PUBLISHED15 Sep 2025
Women in Media Conference 2025
Thoughts and key takeaways from the WiM Conference 2025
Held in August in Sydney, the 2025 Women in Media National Conference was a celebration of the strength, resilience and creativity of women across Australia’s media landscape. The day convened influential figures from journalism, marketing, screen, digital, advertising, public relations and publishing, all with a shared commitment to advancing gender equity in the media industry.
What stood out was the sense of community that permeated the conference. Women from diverse backgrounds and media sectors coming together to share experiences, challenges and aspirations. The atmosphere was one of solidarity and mutual support, reinforcing the collective push for inclusive storytelling.
From the Documentary Australia team, Marketing & Communications Director Emily Carstairs and Marketing Coordinator Cealan Macdonnell attended the conference. This was an opportunity to gain insights, reflect on current trends in the media space, and make valuable connections with other women in related fields.
At the beginning of the day, attendees were welcomed by Anita Jacoby AM, Women in Media Chair and a Director on the Documentary Australia board. Anita’s strong ties to both Women in Media, Documentary Australia, and several other leading media organisations, spotlights her belief in the power of all modes of storytelling to educate, foster dialogue and spark societal change.
These were recurrent themes, cropping up throughout the day as attendees heard from a range of prominent keynote speakers and panellists. Award-winning actress and producer Claudia Karvan OAM set the tone by discussing her creation and portrayal of strong, complex female characters that have left their mark on Australian screens. It was inspiring to hear of her career trajectory – from child star to industry figurehead and thought leader. Claudia offered unparalleled insight into the leadership and initiative of women in media in our country.
It was also empowering to hear from a number of young women, such as Hannah Ferguson, CEO of Cheek Media, who are leading the industry in new directions and re-shaping its future for the next generation.
“I regularly listen to Hannah Ferguson’s podcasts and have loved hearing her speak at various other events. The WiM conference was no different, with Hannah leading a powerful conversation about the social and political power which young women’s voices hold. I was energised by the feeling of confidence, hope and excitement for the future which filled the room during this panel of young, female speakers.” – Cealan Macdonnell, Documentary Australia Marketing Coordinator
From the political complexities of DEI to the precarious promises of artificial intelligence, the program did not shy away from the tension-filled terrain of today’s media. Instead, it leveraged those tensions to spark critical dialogue and offer strategies for navigating them.
A common thought bubble that continued to pop up through the day was that we are living in a world where salience often surpasses meaning, leading us to contemplate how we can ensure we are adding value and helping authentic stories be told. All while being a woman in a sector historically rife with unwinnable gender-biased battles…
“This conference was a stark reminder that the challenges women face in media, from stalled career progression to financial stresses and the constant pressure to prove yourself, are real, but so is the strength of our collective voice. This day created a space that left me thinking about how much more we can achieve when we lift each other up. The idea of climbing the corporate ladder was thrown out and the concept of ‘scaling the scaffolding’ was celebrated – women supporting women is what makes us a force to be reckoned with, especially in a room and industry full of expert communicators.” – Emily Carstairs, Documentary Australia Marketing & Communications Director
The insights and connections gained at events like this remind us of the importance of continuing to push boundaries and advocate for change. These conversations are just the beginning, and we must continue the momentum towards a more inclusive and equitable media landscape in Australia and the world.
As Claudia Karvan reminded us, “Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.”
Documentary Australia is committed to supporting female-identifying individuals and their voices. Since 2016, we have run SheDoc – a professional development program aimed at supporting women working in key creative roles in the documentary sector. In 2026, we will launch a new program to continue to Elevate Women’s Voices. If you would like to partner with us or support this program, please contact us at [email protected].
Images by: Sharleen Christie Photography