by Seán McGovern
Connie Nielsen on set with "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins.
Instead of just lamenting the lack of female filmmakers helming projects today, TIFF is spearheading a $3m campaign to put more female talent behind the camera. Female directors accounted for just 7% of the highest grossing films worldwide in 2016. And that figure is down on the equally dismal 9% in 2015.
Dubbed "Share Her Journey", the campaign will include a three-month residency for female filmmakers, educational resources and gender diversity panels that aim to guide new and talented filmmakers into the industry...
TIFF's Artistic Director Cameron Bailey acknowledged that changes have to start at "entry level", adding that TIFF plans to "seek out, develop, and showcase top female talent in the industry through our festival and year-round initiatives. Our mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. One of the most powerful ways to do that is to foreground the perspectives of women.”
By now everyone has seen the blockbusting success of Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman, and we anticipate the release of Kathryn Bigelow's Detroit, but they are not the only female filmmakers busy in 2017, with a spotlight on some more after the jump.
You Were Never Really There dir. Lynne Ramsey
Lynne Ramsey received a seven-minute standing ovation at Cannes for her adaptation of the novel by Jonathan Ames. Jaoquin Phoenix received the Best Actor prize. Amazon Studios acquired it and have already proven their chops with the success of Manchester by the Sea. No release date announced, but something tells me it might be around Oscar time?
The Levelling dir. Hope Dickson Leach
Receiving it's US release in June, the debut by British director Hope Dickson-Leach is an example of talent being nurtured by a cultural institution, with the BFI awarding Dickson Leach the £50k IWC Bursary Award. The Levelling screened as part of TIFF 2016 and it would be no surprise if this relationship continues.
Step dir. Amanda Lipitz
Seemingly uplifting documentary (due for release on August 4) follows three young black women as they navigate the journey from high school to college. Distributed by Fox Searchlight, a good campaign could get this seen in large numbers.
A more comprehensive list of 2017 films by female directors can be seen on Little White Lies.
What women do you want to see behind the camera in the coming year?