Women in the filmmaking sector shared their perspectives on the challenges they face in pursuing success in a male-dominated environment.
“I stepped away from the industry for 10 years to run a theater. When I returned, I had a stark awakening. All the women I’d seen on sets before were gone, while the men who used to carry equipment were now cinematographers. I thought, ‘Wow, this is striking,’” Cate Blanchett said during a conversation moderated by British producer Anna Higgs.
The panelists clarified that their discussion wasn’t a direct response to the controversy surrounding Żydowicz’s remarks, but rather part of an ongoing dialogue about inclusivity in filmmaking.
According to Higgs, women remain underrepresented in key roles in blockbuster filmmaking, particularly as cinematographers. While women are beginning to direct major films, like Marvel hits, female cinematographers are still exceedingly rare.
Mandy Walker, the cinematographer for Elvis, shared her personal struggles with prejudice. As a teenager, she was told women couldn’t be cinematographers but chose to ignore such comments.
To succeed in the industry, she had to avoid mistakes and always be impeccably prepared, a standard far higher than her male counterparts faced. Despite her perseverance, few women have followed her path.
Women still account for just 7% of cinematographers globally
Costume designer Sandy Powell, a 15-time Oscar nominee (including for The Aviator), highlighted a different perspective. While her field is predominantly female, she prioritizes gender parity within her teams.
Powell emphasized that the best films come from well-coordinated, respectful teams, where gender or past experience matters less than mutual support and collaboration.
Director Maura Delpero, whose film Vermiglio is competing in this year’s Camerimage main competition, noted the double standards women face in the industry.
“Women are expected to work as if they don’t have children and raise children as if they don’t work. The expectations are entirely different for men,” she said.
Delpero faced criticism when she directed a film while caring for her seven- and nine-month-old children. Male directors, by contrast, often return to work without facing judgment.
In her opinion women who prioritize childcare risk losing career opportunities and stalling their professional growth.
How can the film industry become more inclusive?
Cate Blanchett pointed to the series Mrs. America as a successful example of gender parity in action. The production hired 70 women filmmakers to bring the project to life.
Blanchett argued that waiting for major studios to prioritize inclusivity is not the solution. Instead, filmmakers need to take proactive steps and lead by example, just as they did with Mrs. America.
Source:
Camerimage.pl/WP/X/@na_czarno/@wsptlight/@IndieWire/@Film_Legacy/@CateMyQueen
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