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2025 Resolutions for Gender Equity in the Film Industry

Writer's picture: Tess AnnisTess Annis





For many years, the film industry has been celebrated for its power to shape culture, inform society, and inspire audiences. Nonetheless, it’s also where gender equity remains a significant challenge. Despite some progress in recent years, women, especially women of color, trans women, and non-binary individuals, have continued to face systemic barriers that limit their opportunities and representation both behind and in front of the camera. In order to create a communal, equitable industry, it’s essential to adopt resolutions that will not only address these disparities but actively work to dismantle them. Here at Imagine This Women’s Film Festival, we hope to see these resolutions not only in the new year but for many more years to come. 


Here are some critical resolutions for gender equity in the film industry:


Equal Representation in Leadership Roles


The film industry is often operated by a methodic structure, with decision-makers in key leadership positions determining the direction of a project. Women remain significantly underrepresented in these positions of power. This includes not only directors and producers but also in executive roles at studios, networks, and production companies.


Resolution: Increase the number of women in leadership positions across all sectors of the film industry, from production to distribution. Ensure that women’s voices are heard in making decisions about different areas, funding, casting, content, etc. Long-term commitments are needed in these types of situations. 


Increased Investment in Women-Led Projects


Despite making up a large portion of the audience, women often face difficulty accessing funding for their films. Women directors and producers receive far fewer investments and resources than their male opposites, making it more difficult for them to bring their creative visions to life.


Resolution: Studios, investors, and production companies must commit to increasing funding for women-led projects, particularly those that tell stories centered around women's experiences. Initiatives like the Sundance Women’s Fellowship and others should be expanded, and more grants should be made available for underrepresented women filmmakers.


Jane Campion,  Best Director at the Oscars in 2022 for The Power of the Dog
Jane Campion, Best Director at the Oscars in 2022 for The Power of the Dog

Promoting Equal Pay for Equal Work


Commonly discussed, this topic is seen as one of the strongest issues in the film industry, the wage gap. Women in the film industry continue to earn less than men, even when they hold the same position or achieve comparable success. This disparity is even more pronounced for women of color.


Resolution: Work towards closing the gender pay gap by enforcing transparency and accountability within budgets. Support women’s movements and follow through with policies that ensure equal pay for equal work across all roles, behind and in front of the camera. 


Creating a Safe and Inclusive Environment


The #MeToo movement highlighted the persistent issues of harassment, discrimination, and abuse that many women face in the film industry. These challenges not only undermine women’s safety and wellbeing but also limit their opportunities for their careers.


Resolution: Studios and production companies should enforce clear anti-harassment policies, ensure proper training for all staff, and create safe reporting systems for individuals to report misconduct without fear. Creating an inclusive and supportive environment should be a top priority for every film organization, ensuring that women and marginalized groups feel welcomed, valued, and respected in all settings.




Broadening the Scope of Women’s Representation in Film


While the representation of women in front of the camera has improved in recent years, it still often falls into stereotypical roles that limits their complex personalities and diversities. Women of color, queer women, disabled women, and older women are often left out or depicted in diminishing ways.


Resolution: Commit to diverse portrayals of women in all types of roles. This includes ensuring that women’s stories are told by women themselves and that those stories reflect many different stories and individuals. We must give voices to those often excluded from the mainstream platforms. 


 Increasing Access and Opportunities for Women of Color


Women of color face intersectional discrimination in the film industry, where both their gender and race can work against them. This results in fewer opportunities, limited representation, and more barriers to success in filmmaking roles.


Resolution: Commit to increasing opportunities and access for women of color in all areas of filmmaking, from scriptwriting and directing to production and distribution. Ensure that they have equal access to every aspect in pre-production and post production. Studios and production companies should make diversity a main focus of their casting and hiring decisions. They should work to actively dismantle the racism that maintains inequalities in the industry.



Gender equity in the film industry is not a one time achievement, rather a continuous effort. The resolutions outlined above are steps towards a more fair and diverse film industry. To achieve gender equity, these changes must be driven by a shared commitment to challenge the current circumstances, promoting diversity and amplifying the voices of those who have been marginalized. When women and gender diverse individuals are given equal opportunities, the entire industry benefits from richer, more diverse stories and perspectives. As we continue to celebrate and support the work of women in film, we must also remain dedicated to creating an environment where every person, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to the creativity of cinema.

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