Girls on the Cutting Edge of Film

Access to tech and creative industry employment

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Employment of women in the film industry is declining. An SDSU noted women comprised just 23% of creators last year, down from 26% in 2022-23, and 30% in 2021-22. The percentage of female characters in speaking and major roles also declined. Females accounted for 43% of characters in speaking roles (major and minor), down from 44% in 2022-23, and 46% in 2021-22. Annenberg Institute confirms the problem: “Hollywood movies perpetuate a lack of inclusive representation of those from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, girls and women, the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities.” In Variety, Dave McNary wrote, "on films directed by women 72% of writers and 45% of editors were women as opposed to 11% & 21% on male directed films." To end the gross underrepresentation, we train and support youth early in order to penetrate the odds that are stacked against them. As future content leaders they will inspire more girls, shape the stories told and help define our culture.

We increase the power of women in the film industry by creating a pipeline connecting, educating and preparing our girls and non-binary youth to win jobs that typically go to men in technical positions and leadership roles such as directing, writing, producing and cinematography. As future content leaders these underrepresented and underserved participants gain access to industry jobs, inspire more girls, shape the stories told and help define our culture. To attain equity, we include diverse groups of girls and non-binary youth ages 10-18 and provide financial hardship scholarships. Our filmmaking intensive is taught by top professionals, some Emmy-winning, who volunteer in all areas of production providing crucial training. Students form groups creating their own production companies in a safe, collaborative environment and get behind the camera to light and shoot their own films while also participating in the writing, acting, directing, editing, our new AI integration and producing processes. This underserved demographic showcases their films at a red-carpet festival and participate in a Q&A with the audience. Many of our alumni have used these films to help gain entrance into top universities for film and have gone on to earn top internships with major studios and have secured employment in the film industry. Some have even used these skills to join other GirlsINFocus endeavors such as teaching STEM classes for LAUSD and virtual workshops for the GIF workshop series.

Our summer film intensive where we supply partial and full scholarships impacts girls and non-binary youth from all economic strata giving them a voice and critical filmmaking tools as they create their own festival-ready films. Training in this safe space and receiving professional mentorship early aids in their quest to become employable in the industry, gain entrance into top universities and prepares them for lifelong careers as leaders. Our 1st in-person intensive in 2023 at Radford Studios yielded 3 films and our 2024 San Pedro program 4 films were made by participants from all over LA. This year we will be downtown at Roybal Film & Television Magnet. Our impact is being felt across LA county and by the end of the grant year, we hope to reach a class of 25 and within 2 yrs reach 100 with satellite programs. Our growth directly impacts the stories being told throughout LA county with the introduction of new unique female voices boosting their presence in a male-dominated industry.