Women in Film: Updated Statistics From the NZFC

Marian Evans' recently-released findings about women's participation in the creation of NZ film resulted in the NZFC sending us some updated information, which will be of interest to members.

They said, 'The NZFC wishes Marian Evans success with her latest film Development. While we respect the research that underpins her assertion that only 9% of NZ features are written and/or directed by women we want to make sure that everyone is clear that the statistics on which it is based are now out of date.  Marian analysed production in the period 2003 - 2008. To paint a more recent picture:

In the year ended 30 June 2009:

• 7 films were offered production finance by the NZFC of which 3 had women writer/directors, i.e. 42%

In the year ended 30 June 2010:

• 10 films were offered production finance by the NZFC of which 3 had women writer/directors, i.e. 30%
• 53 projects received development funding at differing stages of which 20 had a woman writer, director or writer/director i.e. 37.73%
• Of the final 12 films that were selected for Escalator Bootcamp in this inaugural year 2 of the directors were women, i.e. 16%

If we were to add women producers to the stats then they would look like this:

• 2009 films offered production finance that had a woman producer and/or writer, director or writer/director = 100%
• 2010 films offered production finance that had a woman producer and/or writer, director or writer/director = 50%
• Escalator finalists that had a woman producer and/or writer, director or writer/director = 58.33%

"We are delighted that not only is the NZFC financing the production of more films now than in the period in which Marian did her research but that there are more women involved in those films."