Today, Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, in collaboration with the Adobe Foundation, present the Inclusion List. The data-driven ranking system shows the world who is responsible for driving inclusion when it comes to representation in theatrically-released films.
The second release of the Inclusion List identifies and ranks the 150 most inclusive films from 2019 to 2023 and ranks 2023 films across gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability, and age. The website also highlights the top distributors associated with the movies on the list, names five individuals as the top directors, and showcases eight top editors for inclusion over the last five years.
“Our goal with the Inclusion List is to celebrate those who are showcasing and working with exceptional talent from all backgrounds,” said Smith, founder of the Inclusion Initiative and the Inclusion List. “In the second year of its release, the newest iteration of the Inclusion List spotlights films, filmmakers, and distributors who clearly demonstrate that inclusion is a part of great entertainment.”
The Inclusion List ranks the top films, distributors, directors, and editors on a point system that accounts for inclusion among cast — both leading and all speaking characters — across five indicators (gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability, and age). The researchers also evaluated the gender and race/ethnicity of crew members (director, writer, producer, cinematographer, editor, composer, production designer, costume designer, casting director, assistant director). The point allocations ensure that the list is based on quantitative metrics regarding inclusion and the films, companies, and people who scored the highest are at the top of the list.
Whereas other Hollywood lists about inclusion rely on submissions, a nomination process, or subjective decision-making, the Inclusion List draws solely from data to create a cast and crew score based on actual hiring practices and story elements. As a result, the films, distributors, and filmmakers on the list appear based on a demonstrated track record for inclusion.
“From the stories we see on screen to the creators behind those stories, the entertainment industry has an incredible power to shape culture and to act as a catalyst for change,” said Stacy Martinet, VP of Marketing Strategy and Communications at Adobe. “Having more insight and a greater understanding into inclusivity across film and television helps us all learn and drive progress towards greater representation.”
The top distributors reflect the companies responsible for bringing the films on the Inclusion List to audiences. They were ranked by the number of films appearing on the list itself. Among major distributors, Universal Pictures took top honors with 29 films on the list, followed by Sony Pictures Entertainment (21 films) and Warner Bros. Pictures (18 films). For smaller distributors, A24 led among its peers with 14 movies, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) landing in second place (10 films) and Bleecker Street Media in third (9 films).
Five directors, out of more than 400 evaluated, were named the Most Inclusive Directors in this second year of the Inclusion List. Catherine Hardwicke, Olivia Wilde, Destin Daniel Cretton, Reinaldo Marcus Green, and Kasi Lemmons worked with the highest percentage of women and people of color as department/unit heads across the films assessed.
A total of eight editors were recognized for their work in film over the past 5 years. Annette Davey, Anne McCabe, Blair McClendon, Catrin Hedström, Hilda Rasula, Harry Yoon, Mary Jo Markey, and Terilyn A. Shropshire were named the most inclusive editors for having 2 or more films on the Inclusion List.
“By celebrating these artists, our goal was to showcase the voices behind the stories that bring inclusive stories to audiences,” said Smith.
This latest partnership builds on Adobe’s commitment to creating greater inclusivity, access, opportunity and creativity for all. The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Adobe Foundation together launched a landmark website on inclusion among Academy Award nominees and winners ahead of the 2023 Academy Awards ceremony. The Adobe Foundation also announced a $250k grant to support the USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) MFA program, directly supporting the production of short films for underrepresented students.
The full Inclusion List, including results from additional reports on the Academy Awards and episodic programming, and the complete methodology, is available at inclusionlist.org.