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- filter_9_plusThe Numbers
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Canadian producer Erika Olde is making waves for women in Hollywood
The producer behind TIFF '17's Woman Walks Ahead talks about carving out a career by being unapologetically yourself
Women in the director's chair at TIFF '17
The Future is Female-identified
How Do You Define Yourself?
Ann Marie Fleming fulfilled her dream of writing and animating feature films by telling stories about her family
There is no “male" or “female” when it comes to making a good movie
Filmmaker Omoni Oboli shares how she put Nigerian cinema on the map
TIFF LONG TAKE Ep. 24: The Biggest Challenges Facing Emerging Filmmakers
How does the next generation get their films made?
What Can Straight White Guys Do to Help Women in Film?
The female filmmakers of the Canadian Screen Awards share some constructive advice
Deepa Mehta Shares Her Journey in Film (Death Threats Included)
The acclaimed filmmaker details why women must make films and live life on their own terms
Meet Carol Nguyen
The 19-year-old wunderkind has won Jump Cuts three times
A Mandate to Change
Jennifer Baichwal on the film industry's gender imbalance
TIFF has made a five-year commitment to increasing participation, skills, and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera. We will prioritize gender parity with a focus on mentorship, skills development, media literacy, and activity for young people.
Donate today to help TIFF support and empower female voices. Gifts of all sizes make a difference and will be matched by generous donors Betty-Ann Heggie and Anne-Marie Canning, doubling your impact.
Our Share Her Journey Ambassadors each inject their vital perspective into today’s film industry. Their creativity, passion, and drive are leading the way for the next generation of female filmmakers to tell their stories, providing audiences with outstanding narratives and role models.
Unfortunately, there is a considerable lack of incredible female storytellers in key creative and decision-making roles in the film industry:
- Of the top 250 films of 2016, only 7% were directed by women.
- Of the top 100 films of 2016, only 29% of all protagonists were female.
- Of the top 100 films of 2016, females accounted for only 32% of all speaking characters.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed at TIFF.
The Plan
This work comes at a cost that cannot be supported by current revenue streams. To make this ambitious movement a reality, we need the support of film lovers like you. We need to raise $500,000 in 2017 to jumpstart the following initiatives:
- Champion diversity of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and physical and cognitive ability within gender equity initiatives;
- Launch a three-month residency programme for emerging female creators;
- Introduce a new producers’ accelerator programme for women;
- Develop a speaker series to spark conversations on gender equity and gender identities in film;
- Design comprehensive resources for educators to enhance the curriculum and support classroom discussions about women and gender in cinema;
- Use industry data to track career trajectories and improve outcomes for women in film.
"Achieving gender parity within the film industry is vital. But, more than anything, I’d love to see the cultivation and celebration of female auteurs – women exercising their unique authorial voices in their own ways is where I see radical changes brimming in cinema."
—Ashley McKenzie, award-winning filmmaker
Meet the Ambassadors
The Share Her Journey Ambassadors have joined a movement to champion female storytellers, supporting TIFF's commitment to increase participation, skills, and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera.
Priyanka Chopra
Actor, producer, and activist
Fashion, What’s Your Raashee?, Mary Kom, Quantico
Erika J. Olde
Producer; President and Founder of Black Bicycle Entertainment
Home Again, Woman Walks Ahead, November Criminals, The Female Brain, A Tale of Love and Darkness
Jill Soloway
Writer, director, and creator
Transparent, Afternoon Delight, Six Feet Under
Jennifer Baichwal
Documentary filmmaker, writer, director
Long Time Running, Watermark, Payback, Act of God, Manufactured Landscapes
Deepa Mehta
Documentary filmmaker, writer, director
Anatomy of Violence, Beeba Boys, Midnight's Children, Heaven on Earth, The Elements Trilogy (Water, Earth, Fire)
Stella Meghie
Writer, director, producer
Everything Everything, Jean of the Joneses, Recovering Undercover Over Lover
Ann Marie Fleming
Writer, director, animator
Window Horses, Stories Sarah Tells, Big Trees, Seven Sins: Gluttony, I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors
Carol Nguyen
Director, writer, cinematographer, editor
Facade, Every Grain of Rice, This Home is Not Empty, How Do You Pronounce Pho?, Uprooted
Events
Thanks for supporting Share Her Journey at some of Toronto's biggest events!
Donate Today $50 $150 $250 OTHER
Prefer to make a donation by phone? Please call us at 1-888-599-TIFF (8433).
Charitable Registration No. 11930 4541 RR0001. Tax receipts are issued for all donations $10 or more.
Are you an industry professional who would like to stay informed or submit an idea for the programme? Let us know!
Want to join the movement and share the message? Download the Share Her Journey social media kit here.