A recent study presented at the Berlin film festival on Tuesday has uncovered that progress towards gender equality in the UK film industry is happening at a sluggish pace.
The study, called “Re-Framing the Picture,” analyzed 12,000 films produced from 2005 to 2020 by 34 countries. It specifically looked at the UK, Germany, and Canada to draw its findings.
The results were not positive: although there have been some small improvements in numbers due to policy efforts, such as implementing diversity standards as a condition for receiving subsidies, there is not much noticeable change in power dynamics.
The report revealed that in the UK, men occupy 78% of key creative roles and 81% of top positions in the network. In Germany, the figures are 74% and 86%, while in Canada they are 77% and 82%.
Based on the current rate of advancement, the UK is projected to reach a 50% divide in 2085, Germany in 2041, and Canada in 2215.
According to Prof Deb Verhoeven from the University of Alberta, the report states that there are systemic issues at play that cannot be solved solely through implementing quota policies.
According to Verhoeven, the film industry requires not only an increase in the number of women, but also more women in key positions. She also stated that the progress made by women and gender minorities has not been at the cost of men, but rather due to a growth in the industry rather than a replacement of men.
The report recommended that future policies include robust accountability measures, financial incentives, and the ability to actively promote change within the industry.
Ignore the advertisement for the newsletter.
after newsletter promotion
According to policy analyst Prof Doris Ruth Eikhof from the University of Glasgow, the next step is to incorporate policies that can impact industry practices and establish responsibility. It is evident that blaming women and viewing them as lacking experience or confidence will not lead to the necessary systemic change. Instead, women must be provided with opportunities in influential roles within the film industry, rather than just being included in the industry as a whole.
Source: theguardian.com
