Selma director Ava DuVernay, via Instagram
A year ago, I decided to start writing about female-directed films.
In a time when multiple research organizations are informing women how dismal the statistics are for women in Hollywood and when the number of female directed films recognized during awards season is so low it’s almost negative, it is important to remind young women about the work that is being produced.
Meet my series, “52 Weeks of Directors.” Each week, I’ll highlight a different talented director who just so happens to be a woman.
While parity is important, I think the constant reminder of the statistics is detrimental to those women who are interested in working in film and television, particularly young girls. If girls aren’t seeing women win awards for directing at awards shows, where else are they going to learn about the women directors out there who are successful? Sadly, it won’t be in school. College film survey classes include very few (at most one or two) female directors in the curriculum. So this became my own education project and through it, hoped to educate others as well. (I actually loathe using the term “female director.” They are simply directors.)
For the past 80+ years, there has been disparity for women in film, but 2015 finally saw it as a recognized issue. Gender equality in Hollywood is going to be investigated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) based on a complaint to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from director Maria Giese.
At such a critical juncture for women in Hollywood, please join BUST as we launch this new series on directors and their films.
You can see more of her writing on her website, laurencbyrd.wordpress.com.
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