Despite the success of women-led films like Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Elizabeth Banks’s Cocaine Bear in 2023, two major studies reveal a persistent lack of gender and ethnic diversity behind the camera in Hollywood. The USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University released reports highlighting the stark underrepresentation of women and people of color in key filmmaking roles, challenging the industry’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Findings

 The USC report, titled “Inclusion in the Director’s Chair,” emphasizes that, while films directed by women saw success in 2023, the opportunities for women behind the camera remain limited. Of the 116 directors associated with the top 100 grossing domestic films, only 14 (12.1%) were women. This represents an improvement from the 9% in 2022 but is still indicative of a slow pace of change. The report argues that the percentage of female filmmakers in top movies has not significantly increased since 2018, emphasizing the need for substantial industry reform.

Dr. Stacy L Smith, the report’s author and the Inclusion Initiative’s founder, expressed concern over the lack of progress, stating that the industry is not hiring qualified women into directorial positions solely based on their identity. The report underscores that over 15 years, the percentage of women in top directing roles has grown by less than 10 percentage points.

San Diego State University Report Findings

 A complementary study from San Diego State University found that women’s overall representation in key behind-the-scenes roles decreased from 24% in 2022 to 22% in 2023. Despite notable critical and commercial successes by women directors and producers, the industry’s gender ratios remain heavily skewed in favor of men. The report indicates that 75% of top-grossing films employed 10 or more men in key off-camera roles, while only 4% employed 10 or more women.

Ethnic Diversity

Both reports highlight the stagnation in racial and ethnic diversity behind the camera. The USC report notes that the number of directors from underrepresented groups for the top 100 grossing films in 2023 was 22.4%, a marginal increase from 20.7% in 2022. However, only 3.4% of directors were women of color. The findings underscore the continued need for increased representation and inclusion of diverse voices in decision-making roles.

Conclusion

The success of women-led films in 2023, exemplified by Greta Gerwig’s achievement in directing a billion-dollar-grossing movie, is overshadowed by the persistent gender and ethnic disparities in Hollywood. The USC and San Diego State University reports collectively highlight that performative pledges to diversity and inclusion made by major studios have not translated into substantial changes behind the camera. Until decision-makers alter their approach to hiring and recognize the talent available, the industry’s progress toward inclusivity remains slow.