There is an abundance of research and discourse, locally and globally, confirming gender inequality both in the representation of women on screen and behind the camera. According to recent research conducted by Screen Australia, in Australian feature film production, women account for 33% of the producers, 15% of the directors and 23% of the writers. 

[i] Lack of opportunity in production and exhibition is a known factor in this imbalance. Yet, at the same time, there is a high demand within the community for greater access to women’s stories on screen.

Data emerging on audiences shows that women buy more than 50% of all movie tickets and women 35-plus are one of the only demographics that continues to grow worldwide at a time when cinema audience numbers are trending downwards [ii].

Evidence also indicates these filmgoers want to view more stories about women. Unfortunately, less than 25% of all films in the mainstream market are about women or have female protagonists. Audiences are also often missing out on women’s work in areas such as shorts, documentaries, experimental films and new online formats.

As a result, we aim to make a valuable and meaningful contribution to our local culture by facilitating the participation of diverse creative women and audiences in a festival celebrating different stories about women; stories that can make a difference to women’s lives.

[i] Screen Australia analysis of credits of theatrically released Australian feature films shot between July 2010 and June 2015.

[ii] Motion Picture Association of America, ‘Theatrical Market Statistics’, 2013. http://www.mpaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MPAA-Theatrical-Market- Statistics-2013_032514-v2.pdf