Behind the Camera
The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has extensively examined the representation of women and people of color behind the camera in film, as well as in TV and digital storytelling. This includes quantitative research on the employment of females and people of color, as well as qualitative studies on the barriers and opportunities facing female filmmakers as they move through their careers.
Behind the Scenes in Top-Grossing Films
Inclusion in the Director’s Chair?
Read the full report on gender and race/ethnicity of directors across 17 years and 1,700 top-grossing films from 2007 to 2023.
View previous reports: 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2018
Inequality in 1,600 Popular Films
Annual report on top-grossing film. Includes data on employment patterns of women (directors, writers, producers, composers, and casting directors) and hiring of Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino directors (2007-2022).
View previous reports: 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
View reports on gender inequality: 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008
View reports on race/ethnicity in popular film: 2014, 2013, 2009
Inclusion in Netflix Series and Films: 2018–2021
The Initiative analyzed Netflix’s U.S. original live-action films (249) and series (297) from 2018 to 2021. The study examined on-screen inclusion across gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and disability. Behind the camera, gender and race/ethnicity of key personnel were assessed.
View the most recent exective summary and full report on films and series from 2023.
View the initial executive summary and full report on films and series from 2018-19.
Inclusion or Invisibility? Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity (CARD)
Report examines film, television, and digital content. The study ranks companies based on inclusivity on screen and behind the camera.
View the executive summary and full report.
Hispanic and Latino Representation in Film: Erasure On Screen & Behind the Camera Across 1,600 Popular Movies
The report examines top-grossing films from 2007 to 2022 to assess the prevalence and portrayal of Hispanics/Latinos on screen and as directors, producers, and casting directors. The study also includes a qualitative analysis of the presentation of Hispanic/Latino characters.
View previous reports: 2023, 2021, 2019
Behind the Scenes in Independent Films
Sundance Institute: Artists Demographics in Submissions & Acceptances
Conducted in partnership with Sundance Institute, this report examines gender, race/ethnicity and transgender identity for submissions and acceptances to Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, gender and race/ethnicity for submissions and acceptances to Sundance Institute Lab programs are analyzed.
View the report here.
Sundance Institute and Women in Film: Exploring Barriers for Women Filmmakers
This series of reports includes three phases of research conducted in partnership with Sundance Institute and Women in Film Los Angeles.
- Phase III examines distribution patterns of films directed by men and women after appearing at Sundance Film Festival. Additionally, interviews with industry experts illuminate the barriers and opportunities for women filmmakers as they move from independent to top-grossing films.
- Phase II examines the participation of men and women filmmakers at Sundance Film Festival from 2002-2014, as well as the gender distribution of Sundance lab participants and the trajectory of projects directed by men and women as they move from lab to screen. Further data on barriers facing women directors is presented.
- Phase I examines the participation of men and women filmmakers at Sundance Film Festival from 2002-2012, including data on submissions to the Festival. Additionally, qualitative data is presented from interviews with industry experts on barriers facing women directors and producers in independent film.
Inclusion at Film Festivals
Conducted in partnership with TIME’S UP Foundation, this report examines gender and race/ethnicity of directors at the 5 top global and 10 top North American film festivals from 2017-2019, as well as the gender and race/ethnicity of executives and programmers at these festivals.
View the report here.
Gender & Short Films: Emerging Female Filmmakers and the Barriers Surrounding their Careers
An analysis of director gender at 10 top worldwide festivals, barriers facing female filmmakers, and the content of 115 short films screened at LUNAFEST. Report prepared for LUNAFEST film festival.
View the report here.
Behind the Scenes in Specific Areas of Entertainment
Increasing Inclusion in Animation
The study evaluated females on screen, behind the camera above and below the line across film and TV, and in the executive ranks at major animation companies. In addition, a qualitative investigation examined the reasons that limit women’s access and opportunity in the industry. The study was conducted in partnership with Women in Animation.
View the report here.
Invisible in Visual Effects
The study examined women working in visual effects across 400 top-grossing films from 2016 to 2019, focusing on overall prevalence and leadership credits. The study further explored women working in the executive ranks across 60 VFX companies. Finally, awards recognition for women was assessed. The report also includes a qualitative investigation, which consists of 82 in-depth interviews with women in VFX as well as industry decision-makers. The study was conducted in partnership with Women in Animation.
View the report here.
Gender Bias Without Borders
An investigation of women on screen and behind the camera in popular films from 11 countries. Report prepared for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.
View the executive summary and the full report.
Gender Representation 1977-2010
Females on screen and behind the camera in Best Picture nominees.
Gender and Race/Ethnicity of Film Critics
An examination of gender and race/ethnicity of film reviewers across the top 100 films each year from 2015-2017.
View the reports here: top 100 films of 2017, top 300 films from 2015-2017