The number of female filmmakers working on Hollywood films was flat in 2024 despite buzzy releases like ‘The Substance’ and ‘Babygirl,’ study finds.
The number of female filmmakers working on Hollywood films was flat in 2024 despite buzzy releases like ‘The Substance’ and ‘Babygirl,’ study finds.
Audiences want good movies, and often don’t care who writes or directs them. It’d be a mistake to say the reason for the low percentage “is because sexism” on such a multifaceted situation. A quick web search says only about 15% of all filmmakers are women, so this statistic sounds about right. Either not enough women are interested, or not enough get the opportunity.
That’s a great point. I thought the initiatives would strive for a 50/50 balance which is why 16% surprises me so much.
I wonder what the ratio is between men who want to become filmmakers and women who want to become filmmakers, and if it’s actually 50/50.
This is often driven by media portrayal. If young women aren’t seeing women being portrayed as directors in media, they might not make the mental leap to “I want to be a director, and I think it’s possible”. For example, the x files led to women in stem having more confidence in their choice of career (STEM career). https://geenadavisinstitute.org/research/the-scully-effect-i-want-to-believe-in-stem/
The medical profession used to be totally male-dominated. That didn’t stop women from becoming doctors in droves despite all the discrimination and outright bullying they faced. Now women dominate many of the medical specialities.
I think this is different. I think becoming a film director is simply not a viable career path for 99% of all people who attempt it, regardless of gender. This is very much distinct from both acting and music as careers (there are countless moderately successful small-time actors and musicians but almost no small-time film directors).