The Australian Cinematographers Society’s A Wider Lens report, which examines career pathways into cinematography, and the workplace and recruitment experiences of camera professionals, paints a picture of inequality, discrimination and a lack of diversity. It recommends an "industrial scale" effort to address a toxic work culture, finding many workplace conditions, as well as commonplace bullying, harassment and discrimination, are resulting in significant mental health consequences, to the point of threatening the industry's long-term sustainability and growth.
Concerns about power imbalances and toxic working environments in the film and TV industries long pre-date the emergence of #metoo as a global rallying cry against sexual assault and harassment on set.
The screen industry still has work to do to address gender imbalance, but Screen Australia chief operating officer Fiona Cameron says it is off to a “promising start”.
Experienced producers Leonie Mansfield ('Kick-Ass 2') and Lisa Shaunessy ('Killing Ground') are aiming to produce projects with 80 per cent female writers, directors and protagonists.
Screenwriter Liz Doran has written for 'The Secret Life of Us', 'McLeod's Daughters', 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries', 'Dance Academy' and 'Please Like Me'. She speaks to Jackie Keast about Gender Matters and upcoming projects.
“What I am really interested in now is international efforts. I’m very excited about coming to New Zealand to participate in the [Power of Inclusion] summit because what we need to do is create an international coalition of women filmmakers and work in solidarity to unify our efforts."
The 58 recipients of Screen Australia's Gender Matters: Brilliant Stories and Brilliant Careers funding have been unveiled.
The percentage of female feature film producers in Australia is already well above the global average and continuing to improve.