The lack of diversity in the filmmaking industry has once again come under scrutiny, as major studios fail to provide equal opportunities for female directors and people of color. Despite the success of films like Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Elizabeth Banks’ “Cocaine Bear,” women are still not being given the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Additionally, major studios’ pledges to support inclusion in the wake of George Floyd’s murder are being called performative and not leading to real change.
Stagnant Progress for Female Filmmakers
A recent report by USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative revealed that out of the 116 directors attached to the top-grossing domestic films in 2023, only 14 of them were women. This represents a slight improvement from the 9% of top-grossing films directed by women in 2022, but the percentage has remained relatively unchanged since 2018 when only 4.5% of directors were women. The report highlights the persistent lack of progress in the industry.
Limited Opportunities for Women of Color
The same report found that only four women of color directed one of the top-grossing films in 2023, accounting for just 3.4% of the total. Three of these women were Asian, while the other woman was Black. The representation of women of color directors has not significantly changed from the previous year. This lack of diversity highlights the ongoing struggle for women of color to break through in the industry.
Studio Performance
When looking at specific studios, Universal Pictures stood out by hiring four female directors, followed by Lionsgate and Disney with three and two female directors respectively. Over the past 17 years, Universal Pictures has hired the highest number of female filmmakers for major theatrical releases (9.2%). However, Paramount Pictures has the lowest hiring rate for female filmmakers at just 1.6%.
Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Directors
The USC report also revealed that 26 directors (22.4%) from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups were involved in the top-grossing films of 2023. This number is relatively unchanged from the previous year. Among major distributors, Warner Bros. had the highest number of films directed by underrepresented directors, followed by Walt Disney Studios. Lionsgate has the highest percentage of films with underrepresented directors attached.
Limitations of Box Office Measurements
It’s important to note that measuring hiring based on box office receipts has its limitations. The list of top-grossing films may not include those released towards the end of the year, and it also doesn’t capture directors working on lower-earning independent films or those employed by streaming services like Netflix. However, the study highlights that Netflix has made a significant effort by hiring 26.9% female directors in 2021.
The Need for Substantial Change
Despite the success of individual films and directors, the study’s authors emphasize that true change requires a collective effort. One film or director alone is not enough to bring about the necessary change behind the camera. Studios, executives, and producers must reconsider their decision-making processes and create opportunities for qualified and diverse directors. Without substantial changes, optimism for a more inclusive industry remains unwarranted.
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