FFFB PANEL- The Power of Sound: Women Shaping Stories Through Film Sound

Explore the power of film sound with 3 experienced women working across production sound, sound design & mixing, followed by a Q&A. Sound is one of cinema’s most powerful storytelling tools. It shapes atmosphere, builds emotion, creates tension and intimacy, and can completely transform the way we experience an image. Yet film sound often remains remarkably invisible: when it works well, audiences may not consciously notice it at all, and the creative voices and complex processes behind what we hear frequently receive far less attention than what happens in front of the camera. In this panel, three women actively working in different areas of film sound come together to explore its creative power and its role in shaping cinematic storytelling. Bringing perspectives from production sound, sound design, and film mixing, the conversation will look at how sound evolves throughout the filmmaking process, how it can deepen a story and influence an audience’s emotional experience, and how it can become a narrative language of its own. The panel will also reflect on the speakers’ individual experiences as women working in film sound and consider questions of representation within technical and creative departments behind the camera. Rather than assuming a universal experience, the discussion will acknowledge that film industries, working structures, and approaches to sound production differ across countries and contexts, opening up a broader conversation about how different perspectives and experiences can enrich cinematic storytelling. The 45-minute moderated conversation will be followed by a 15-minute audience Q&A, inviting participants to ask questions, share perspectives from their own filmmaking contexts, and connect directly with the panelists. Duration: 60 minutes Format: 45-minute moderated panel + 15-minute audience Q&A Location: The Social Hub Berlin Mitte Language: English Panelists: Claudia Mattai del Moro Film Sound Mixer Anastasiia Nasonkina Film Sound Design Artist Fanny “Thera” Harisch Film Production Sound Mixer & Sound Designer