Disney launches #DreamBigPrincess video series with inspiring women

Disney has launched a new #DreamBigPrincess global video series offering the next generation of young leaders advice and inspiration on how to achieve success.

The new series, produced and directed by young women from the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up initiative, will share the stories of 20 women across technology, medicine, entertainment, law, sports, arts, science, fashion and politics to show the next generation what’s possible.

“Dreaming big is one of the most important things any of us can do – to keep aiming higher,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, who was interviewed for the series by Maud Webster, 16, from the U.K. “The #DreamBigPrincess series is giving a voice to a group of talented young women, helping them tell stories that kids can learn from, whatever their ambition.”

Disney offered mentorship for the 21 Girl Up leaders from all over the world as they captured the stories of a group of role models in digital shorts. Each video will be shared across Disney’s social media platforms as part of a campaign to donate up to $1 million to Girl Up.

“We have the responsibility to hand that baton of self-belief and positivity to the next generation,” said Jo Malone CBE, entrepreneur and founder of Jo Loves, who was interviewed by Bethel Kyeza, 16. “Storytelling can help us believe that no matter who we are or where we come from, we have every right to write the story of our own life and fulfill it.”

“There’s a line in Mary Poppins where she says anything is possible, even the impossible. I think that really symbolizes what dreaming big is all about, the idea if you want something big enough that the universe is going to conspire to give it to you,” said Emily Blunt, Golden Globe-winning actress who was interviewed by Marisa Torre, 17.

The roster of women sharing their tips for success in the 20-part series includes:

• Asmaa Boujibar – Research scientist and the first Moroccan woman in history to join NASA Johnson Space Center.
• Ashima Narain – Photographer, filmmaker, and former photo editor for National Geographic Traveler India.
• Blanca Treviño – President and CEO of Softtek, the leading IT services company in Latin America, and champion for entrepreneurialism, IT and the role of women in business.
• Emily Blunt – Golden Globe Award-winning actress and star of upcoming Disney films “Mary Poppins Returns” and “Jungle Cruise.”
• Celina Caesar-Chavannes – Canadian member of Parliament who served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada
• Jennifer Lee – Chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, writer and co-director of Disney’s “Frozen,” for which she won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
• Jo Malone CBE – Founder and creative director of Jo Loves, which has created some of the world’s most popular fragrances. She was awarded a CBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honors List for her services to the British Economy and the GREAT Britain campaign.
• Karen Jonz – Brazilian skateboarder, designer, and musician who won the 2008 X Games women’s vertical and the World Cup Skateboarding Championship for times. She is the first Brazilian to win the title of World Champion.
• Karen Walker – Designer with a global, multimillion-dollar eponymous fashion label, and was awarded the Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to fashion design in 2014.
• Kathleen Kennedy – Film producer and president of Lucasfilm. She has produced more than 60 films, including three of the highest-grossing movies in motion picture history.
• Leia Mi – Art director for Shanghai Disneyland who creates concept designs and provides art direction for Shanghai Disney Resort. She was once a creative designer at Walt Disney Imagineering.
• Maria Teresa Ruiz – Chilean astronomer, and was the first woman to study astronomy at the University of Chile, as well as the first female scientists to receive a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Princeton University. She was also the first woman to receive Chile’s National Prize for Exact Sciences.
• Martina Stoessel – Actress and singer who played the leading role on the Disney Channel telenovela “Violetta,” and was the first Argentine singer to reach one million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours for her single “Te Quiero Mas.”
• Monica Lopez Hidalgo – Accomplished professor and researcher of neuroscience, and one of the winners of the L’Oréal Unesco Conacyt AMC 2017 Scholarships for Women in Science for her research on the deterioration of cognitive functions related to age.
• Ndifanji Namacha – Medical doctor and assistant lecturer of public health, as well as Malaria No More UK youth ambassador. She delivered a keynote speech at the 2018 Malaria Summit in London.
• Paola Carosella – Award-winning chef and restaurateur who opened her first restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil in 2001. She has appeared as a judge on MasterChef Brazil since 2014.
• Robin Roberts – Award-winning broadcaster and co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
• Susan Prescott – Vice president of product marketing at Apple with over 25 years of experience in the computing industry.
• Virginie Delalande – Founder of Handicapower, and the first deaf person to become a lawyer in France.
• Victoria Arlen – Accomplished motivational speaker, actress, model, and swimmer. She won three Silver medals and a Gold medal from the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and joined ESPN as one of the company’s youngest on-air talents.

“The #DreamBigPrincess series documents a host of inspiring stories and diverse experiences, but the common message is clear,” said Zenia Mucha, senior executive vice president of communications for The Walt Disney Company. “Having a big dream is the first step on the path to success, and positive role models are critical in helping you continue on that journey – whether that’s a fictional entrepreneur like Tiana or a real-world success story like any of the women in this series.”

Each video was shot on iPhone X and edited using Final Cut Pro X running on MacBook Pro. This year’s video series builds upon the success of the previous #DreamBigPrincess Global Photography series, where 19 female photographers from 15 countries captured the stories of real-world women and girls.

This is all part of the ongoing Dream Big, Princess initiative that encourages kids everywhere to dream big by highlighting key moments and qualities that each Disney Princess showcases.

To learn more about this new video series, visit Princess.Disney.com. Check out the announcement video for the new series below: