Only 17 of 250 highest grossing films of 2014 were made by women.

2014 was a great year for women in both Bollywood and Hollywood. Where Indian films saw women in refreshingly empowered roles and portraying strong characters; women filmmakers in the US made some of the most commercially successful films. According to a report by Indiewire, a total of 17 films made by women in Hollywood last year have been listed amongst the highest grossing films of 2014.

This sounds wonderful until you realize that these amazing women just account for 6.8% of the total number of filmmakers in the list.  According to the report, out of the 250 highest grossing films, only 17 were made by women. The only consolation seems to be that this year’s percentage has slightly gone up from last year’s 6%.

The majority of the most successful films in Hollywood are either science fictions or superhero movies: both of which are high-budget projects and are rarely given to women directors. This year, however, Michelle MacLaren’ will be directing a superhero, or more appropriately put, super heroine film ‘Wonder woman.’

Woman Directors in Hollywood: Michelle MacLaren, Director of 'Wonder Woman'
Picture By: Vixen Varsity

According to another report, women directed only 4.7% of studio films from 2009-2013 in Hollywood. “The numbers are only slightly better in the world of independent filmmaking, where women directed 10% of films from 2009-2013,” said the report. So what can be done to make this better? Indiewire suggests that more female directors should be hired to direct films and that more women should given higher-profile and bigger-budget projects.

On a positive note, this turned out to be a great year for women of colour in Hollywood. Amma Asante's ‘Belle’, Gina Prince-Bythewood's ‘Beyond the Lights’ and Ava DuVernay's ‘Selma’ (which gave her a golden globe nomination in the ‘Best Director’ category); made it to the list.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Indiewire

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