Women in Film

We advocate for and advance the careers of women working in the Screen industries – to achieve parity and transform culture. This year’s Indie Women study tracked the employment of behind-the-scenes women working on independently and domestically produced feature-length documentaries and narrative films screening and/or streaming at 20 high-profile film festivals in the U.S.  While the fests continue to stream and/or screen more narrative features directed exclusively by men than those with at least one woman director, the margin is narrowing.  In 2022-23, the festivals streamed/screened an average of 10 films by male directors and 7 by female directors.  In 2021-22, the radio was 10 to 6.  In 2022-23, the gender gap disappeared entirely for documentary features, with festivals streaming/screening equal numbers of films directed by men and women.  In terms of employment, men continue to comprise the majority of those working as directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers (men 61%, women 39%) on independently produced narrative films and documentaries.  While the percentage of women working as producers, editors, and cinematographers remained stable in 2022-23, the percentage of women working as directors increased from 40% in 2021-22 to 42% in 2022-23.  The percentage of women writers rose from 35% in 2021-22 to 40% in 2022-23.  These are recent historic highs.

We specifically aim to attract more women into film and publishing and encourage them into the world arena. The time is now for women — in the publishing and the film industry — to be heard, and in particular voices from the Middle East. We also run a leadership initiative and screenwriters’ lab, collaborate with industry bodies and promote women’s interests. Furthermore, women have made vital contributions to the industry as writers, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, and so on. For instance, when Kemi Adetiba made “King of Boys” it was solid proof that it doesn’t matter what gender a director is — talent always prevail