Though certain segments of social media might disagree, it’s always a good thing when there are more inclusivity and diversity in the film industry. This is just a fact. More perspectives mean more stories and more interesting films. And thankfully, as a new study points out, in terms of female representation behind the camera, the film industry continues to gain more inclusivity.
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A new study from San Diego State University claims that the total number of female directors and female filmmakers (in general) grew in 2020 from previous highs in 2019. Though not a massive leap, it’s shown that 2020 saw female directors, cinematographers, writers, editors, producers, and executive producers account for 21% of all filmmakers working on the top 100 films last year. This is an increase from 20% in 2019. As for the top 250 films, the growth was even bigger, from 21% to 23%.
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When you take into account just directors, the increase is even more significant. In 2020, female directors accounted for 16% of the top 100 films, growing from 2019’s 12%. In the top 250 features, the number of female directors is 18%, up from 13% in 2019. This represents growth that is hard to ignore and proves that the pressure put upon the film industry to become more inclusive is paying off.
As for prominent films released in 2020 directed by women, the first one that immediately comes to mind is Patty Jenkins on “Wonder Woman 1984.” But let’s not forget films from directors such as Miranda July (“Kajillionaire“), Amy Seimetz (“She Dies Tomorrow“), Channing Godfrey Peoples (“Miss Juneteenth“), Cathy Yan (“Birds of Prey“), and Autumn de Wilde (“Emma“), just to name several.
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Of course, you can’t talk about any study from 2020 without discussing the elephant in the room—COVID-19. Yes, with many of the major blockbusters being shelved in favor of being released in 2021, these reports are going to be a bit skewed. But if anything, we have to assume that the numbers would have actually grown even more. Films like “Black Widow” and “Eternals” were scheduled to be released last year and were pushed for 2021. Both of those features were guaranteed top 100 films and both are directed by women.
So, here’s hoping that 2021 shows even more growth in this study because Hollywood sure is trending in the right direction, as far as female inclusivity is concerned.