Spain: women in only 26% of key production posts, says report

The Spanish Association for Women Filmmakers (CIMA) has expressed concern following the results of a new study it carried out on gender equality in the film industry, which highlights that male directors of feature films outnumber women directors by more than 5:1.

The survey of 143 films shortlisted for Goya nominations in 2015 found that while 65 features were directed by men only 12 were directed by women.

Among documentaries, the ratio improved but was still alarming with 50 male directors compared to 17 women.

Juana Macias, vice-president of CIMA, also pointed to the small percentage of women in key production jobs as a reason for concern.

“The report concludes that among the surveyed films only 26% of creative and management posts are held by women. We have the same number of men and women studying in film schools so something obviously isn’t quite right”, she said.

“The lack of diversity means that some points of view, those of women, are lost.”

The 26% refers to the total percentage of women working on the surveyed films as directors, screenwriters, heads of production, executive producers, art directors, cinematographers, sound and music executives, special effects executives, editors, costume designers, make up artists and hair stylists.

CIMA, which intends to run the study each year, has suggested changes to public funding as a method for positive change.

The organisation, which also runs mentoring session to help develop women filmmakers (the fifth edition of which was held last week) is also in discussion with European, Latin American and US organisations, including the Geena Davis Institute, about future initiatives.