Despite the box office success of films like Barbieby Greta Gerwig, e The White Powder Bear, by Elizabeth Banks, female directors continue to have far fewer opportunities in Hollywood than men. At the same time, major studios also failed to deliver on their promise to give more space to blacks.
Universal Pictures hired four female directors, the most among distributors. Lionsgate and Disney followed, hiring three male and two female directors respectively.
Over the past 17 years, a total of 27 women (9.2%) have been hired by Universal Pictures to direct major film releases. This is followed by Warner Bros (6.6%), Sony Pictures (6.3%) and Walt Disney Studios (6.1%). Paramount Pictures, with a hiring rate of 1.6%, had the worst performance when it came to hiring female directors.
The study authors also found that 26 directors (22.4%) of the 100 highest-grossing films in 2023 were from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Fourteen are Asian (53.8%), eight are Black (30.8%), two are Hispanic/Latino (7.7%), and an additional two directors are multiracial/multiethnic (7.7%).
Among major distributors, Warner Bros was the second-best performer in 2023, with five films from underrepresented directors, followed by Walt Disney Studios, with four. Over the past 17 years, Lionsgate has had the highest percentage of films with an underrepresented director (21.7%), followed by Universal Pictures (18.3%) and Sony Pictures Entertainment (17%).
This report offers a contrast to those who may be celebrating the beginning of change in Hollywood after a year in which Barbie at the top of the box office. One film or one director is simply not enough to create the radical change that is still needed behind the camera. Until studios, executives and producers change the way they make decisions about who is qualified and available to work as a director on high-grossing films, there is little reason to believe that optimism is warranted.
USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Report
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Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
