A study conducted by the Inclusive Initiative at the University of Southern California has concluded that women are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles within international film production.
The researchers analyzed 4,532 films from eleven countries worldwide that grossed over one million dollars at the box office in recent years. Out of a total of 4,991 directors credited for these films, only 579, or 11.6%, were women.
The study found the highest percentages of women directors among these top-grossing films in Germany (18.7%), the UK (18.5%), and Australia (18.3%). Conversely, the lowest proportions were observed in South Korea (9.1%), India (4.9%), and Japan (4.7%). The research also specifically noted the representation of non-white women directors, whose share has increased from 2.5% in 2015 to 5.7%.
In contrast to the directing figures, previous analysis of the top 100 highest-grossing films from the previous year indicated that women and men held an equal share (42%) of leading roles in 2024. Protagonists were defined as characters whose perspective drives the narrative. This marks a significant increase from 2023, when women held 28% of leading roles, and 2022, at 33%. The remaining 16% in 2024 were roles in films featuring a leading couple or ensemble.
Finley Holt