2024: 16% of Biggest US Box-Office Hits Directed by Women
Parity Still Elusive
Despite years of discussion, initiatives, and lobbying for parity in the film industry, women continue to struggle to achieve greater equality behind the camera. A recent study by San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film highlights the persisting disparity.
16% of Box-Office Hits Directed by Women
The study analyzed the 250 biggest box-office hits in the US in 2024 and found that only 16% of these films were directed by women – the same as in 2023. The situation remains stagnant even when moving up the box-office rankings: women directed just 11% of the year’s 100 highest-grossing films, a figure down three points on 2023.
Award-Winning Films Still Lag Behind
However, some films directed by women have gained recognition. “Babygirl,” directed by Halina Reijn and starring Nicole Kidman, won the award for best actress at the Venice Film Festival, while Coralie Fargeat’s horror film “The Substance” starring Demi Moore has also received acclaim. Despite these successes, the study notes that the “stunning successes enjoyed by high-profile women in the last few years have not translated into opportunities for greater numbers of women. Visibility for a few has not generated employment for many.”
Progress in Writing, Limited in Other Fields
Women accounted for 23% of positions in key creative roles – directors, screenwriters, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers – in the 250 biggest movies of 2024. While this represents an improvement on 1998 (17%), it remains a minority representation. However, women have made significant progress in writing, occupying 20% of screenwriting positions – an all-time record.
Key Role Representation
The study also highlights the disparity in key role representation. The majority of movies (72%) employed a maximum of five women in key roles, compared to 6% that employed a maximum of five men. Conversely, 70% of the biggest box-office hits employed a minimum of 10 men, while 8% employed 10 or more women.
Female Directorship Boosts Female Representation
The study reveals that when women are at the helm of productions, they tend to employ more female professionals. On films with at least one woman director, women comprised 52% of writers, 27% of editors, and 34% of cinematographers. In contrast, on films with male directors, women accounted for 12% of writers, 17% of editors, and 5% of cinematographers.
Conclusion
While some women have achieved success behind the camera, the study demonstrates that the overall representation of women in key creative roles remains stagnant. To achieve greater parity, the industry must work towards increasing opportunities for women and creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
FAQs
Q: What is the current representation of women in key creative roles in the film industry?
A: According to the study, women accounted for 23% of positions in key creative roles.
Q: How many box-office hits were directed by women in 2024?
A: The study found that 16% of the 250 biggest box-office hits in the US were directed by women.
Q: Have women made progress in writing roles?
A: Yes, women accounted for 20% of screenwriting positions in 2024, an all-time record.
Q: How do female directors affect representation on film sets?
A: The study found that on films with at least one woman director, women comprised 52% of writers, 27% of editors, and 34% of cinematographers, indicating a boost in female representation.