Women in Film and Television is an international organisation boasting over 10,000 members world-wide including dynamic and influential branches in London, New York and Los Angeles. The organisation aims to advance the professional development and achievement of women working in all areas of film, television and screen-based media.
Over recent years statistics have emerged about the representation of women in this industry. The Sundance Institute, The Geena Davis Institute and Women in Film & TV International have reported that only 4% of Hollywood’s big budget directors are women and that of last year’s mainstream film
releases only 12% featured female lead roles. Despite an equal gender split of film-school graduates and film festival award-winners, the organisation is interested in determining what occurs in professional development of these filmmakers that leads to the ‘Big Six’ Hollywood studios hiring
almost exclusively male directors from amongst these festival winners.
The Irish branch of Women in Film and Television launches today, Wednesday 30th September, at O’Callaghan St. Stephen’s Green Hotel, Dublin at 6:30pm
Rachel Lysaght, Chair WFT, award-winning producer of 'One Million Dubliners’, 'Patrick’s Day' & 'The Pipe', asks "It’s not a case of ‘where are all the talented women?’ We need to reframe the question - why are we over-representing men’s stories and voices on-screen? What pro-active steps
can we take to redress the balance, and reinvigorate our industry, our culture and our economy? We want to see equal representation of women on Irish screens and equal representation in the projects written, directed and executed by women in the Irish film industry."
Last year the Swedish film industry struck out alone and achieved 50:50 gender equality, with the result that their box office grew markedly.
A group of award-winning Irish film and television-makers including producers, editors, screenwriters, directors and actors have come together to form Women in Film and Television Ireland. Recent sell-out events at The Galway Film Fleadh and a passionate ongoing conversation amongst women in the industry now culminates in the organisation’s launch in Dublin. "It’s
time to make some noise. Come on! Your country knows how to get up in arms!" Catherine Hardwicke, US director of ‘Twilight’ and 'Miss You Already’ told Women in Film & TV Ireland last week at their exclusive event.
Women in Film and TV Ireland is now open to members among the professional women working in the Irish film and TV industry. Monthly events, networking, mentoring and special offers including affiliation with the international branches will be available to members.
More information can be found at www.wft.ie
