2019 was a record-breaking year for women directors behind top-grossing movies
Hollywood still has work to do when it comes to bringing female writers and directors to the table. But 2019 was a record-breaking year for women behind top-grossing movies.
With female filmmakers still very much in the minority — and still unable to get nominations for prestigious awards like the Golden Globes, apparently — it’s clear that Hollywood has work to do when it comes to bringing female writers and directors to the table. That said, there are some wins to celebrate when it comes to women in film. And 2019 was a record-breaking year for women in the director’s seat.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, a study from USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative shows that a record-breaking number of women helped to create the highest-grossing films of 2019. Whereas only 4.5 percent of female directors were behind the year’s blockbuster hits in 2018, 10.6 percent of the directors responsible for 2019’s biggest movies were women. It’s an impressive jump, even if it’s disturbing to see just how few female directors are involved overall. It’s also one of the largest jumps we’ve seen in the past 13 years.
Of course, it shouldn’t be surprising that last year was a big one for women directors. Not only were blockbusters like Captain Marvel and Frozen 2 co-directed by women, but critically acclaimed movies like Hustlers, Little Women, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood boasted women behind the camera. Given that most of these movies tell women’s stories, it seems natural they’d be the ones making the decisions — but, sadly, that isn’t always the case.
Unfortunately, the number of women of color in the director’s seat decreased from 2018, with the study showing that only 16.8 percent helmed 2019 films — a significant drop from 2018’s 21.4 percent. These numbers are even worse when you consider they’ve hardly changed since 2013.
“Less than 1 percent of all directors across 13 years were women of color,” Dr. Stacy L. Smith, one of the authors behind the Inclusion in the Director’s Chair study, said. “In fact, 13 women have directed a top film in 13 years. While 2019 is a banner year for women, we will not be able to say there is true change until all women have access and opportunity to work at this level.”
We may not be able to say all women have the same opportunities in entertainment, but with any luck, one day we will be able to. Studies like this one highlight just how much work needs to be done when it comes to female leadership in the industry — and they show us exactly where the efforts should be going. This may be a win, but there’s miles to go — and that starts with seeing as many female-directed films as possible, especially if they’re helmed by women of color.
Next. 5 blockbuster movies will be directed by women in 2020. dark