08 · 26 · 15

Gender Equality in Film: Article in Variety

The August 2015 edition of Variety magazine published an article about gender equality in film, written by Alissa Simon, who interviewed directors of various festivals, including Daniela Michel, founder and general director of FICM, about the issue.

The representation of the female voice has been a controversial issue at several of the world’s most important film festivals, which have been criticized for not including the work of more women in their programming. In this regard, Simon poses the following questions: Is a gender quota the answer in filmmaking? Would things be different if more women directed film festivals?

In general, the interviewees coincided in that, although they make an effort to include the work of women in the programming of the festivals that they direct, the final selection is based on the quality of the work. They also emphasized that their gender does not define their work as festival directors. However, they also admitted that it is important not to abandon the discussion about gender equality and in many cases they are implementing strategies to increase the representation of women in film. This is the case of Hronn Marinosdottir of the Reykjavik International Film Festival, which is establishing a filmmaking workshop for teenage girls.

Addressing the issue, Daniela Michel said, “While attending film school I learned how difficult the film world was for women. So in my case, I certainly do pay more attention to the work being done by women filmmakers. Unfortunately, in my country, not even the work of pioneer directors like Adela Sequeyro and Matilde Landeta has been sufficiently recognized. There is a lot to be done, but fortunately there are now many Mexican women directors doing excellent work, being recognized in international festivals.”

The article includes a hopeful note. Perhaps the directors of film festivals, both men and women alike, are increasingly more open to women’s work since, in the words of Helen du Toit, artistic director of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, “To me this just seems like good business, as the audience is likely 50% female at the average festival.”

You can read the complete article in Variety: here.

We also recommend that you consult our list of 10 contemporary Mexican women directors, which in no way is definitive, but it is a good approximation of female talent in current Mexican cinema. To read it, click: here.