The film industry has witnessed a significant increase in the involvement of women both behind and in front of the camera in recent years. However, according to the latest report from the Inclusion Initiative at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, there was a notable decrease in the number of women in leading roles among the top 100 grossing films of 2023. The report, authored by Dr. Stacy L. Smith and her team, indicates that only 30 films featured women and girls in lead or co-lead roles, compared to 44 films in 2022 and the same number in 2010.

Paula Vergara, a Colombian-Canadian Creative Director, Art Director, and tattoo artist based in London, Ont., explained that women offer a unique perspective in the film industry.

“Women represent themselves more intensely as if they break stereotypes,” Vergara said. “I believe we pay more attention to the details, being pickier in some aspects of our work.”Vergara exemplified her words by describing her experience directing the music video for “Hurt So Bad” by Canadian singer-songwriter Bella Rosa.

“She wanted to wear a super sexy and very tight red dress, and I told her no because it seemed to me that was the idea a man would have about a woman,” Vergara explained. “I suggested she dress more like a princess, and although she did not agree at the beginning because it did not represent her as a singer, she liked it, and the final result was beautiful.”

Vergara also touched on 2017 Wonder Woman film, directed by Patti Jenkins. Despite the script and idea being conceived by men, critics highlighted Jenkins’ contribution to the film, noting the way she created a different vision of the female superhero. For example, Jenkins used slow motion to detail Wonder Woman’s epic strength rather than sexualizing her body.Vergara’s sentiments echo the sentiments of Kelly Peckham and Michelle Shipley, Canadian film and TV production veterans and co-founders of Broad Films.

“Certainly, female directors approach storytelling differently than their male counterparts,” Shipley said. “They prioritize authentic narratives that depict women of all ages and backgrounds.”

Vergara also emphasized the significance of diverse storytelling.

“Representation matters,” Vergara asserted. “As storytellers, we are responsible for reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience, including stories from diverse cultural backgrounds, marginalized communities, and perspectives often overlooked by mainstream media.”

Vergara mentioned the American television producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes as a pioneer. Her work in various popular television series redefined female roles on television and stimulated the debate about diversityin the medium.

Shipley, meanwhile, cited examples like Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s documentary Nyad, which follows the journey of a 61-year-old open-ocean endurance swimmer.

Additionally, Shipley highlighted director Greta Gerwig’s film Barbie as a notable example of feminist commentary on the patriarchy that, despite its commercial success, was overlooked during awards season, drawing criticism for recognition from the industry to narratives driven by women.

But efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are gaining momentum within the film industry.

“I started my career in news and documentary. I entered the industry when women finally made an impact at all reporting levels,” Peckham said. “I remember hearing Ann Medina at an event talking about wearing bright blue while in a war zone to distinguish herself as a journalist and not a soldier. She was one of the few Canadian female reporters in war zones at the time. So, I did the same when I could go into conflict myself. It’s a given, not an exception to have women in every level of journalism.”

The mistaken stereotype that women cannot handle a major project such as a feature film has meant that we do not always hear about female directors, female camera operators, or female photographers within the audiovisual industry.

“The one area we’d like to impact is promoting women in non-traditional crew positions. Women in the trades are still working to make their mark,” Peckham explained. “Although we will not be exclusionary, we believe in encouraging women into roles on set that are traditionally male dominated, like Director of Photography. These women need the opportunity to make their mark and advance.”

One notable initiative gaining traction is the implementation of diversity quotas and inclusion riders. These contractual provisions require a specific diversity in casting, crew hiring, and production staff.

“I believe that 90 per cent of our team consists of women because of the exceptional results they produce,” remarked Vergara. “My husband and I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with women in our projects. Women tend to pay meticulous attention to small details.”

Achieving a film industry that reflects society’s richness and diversity requires amplifying voices, challenging stereotypes, and promoting the inclusion of women in traditionally male-dominated roles.