Gender Equity: Female Filmmakers & the Future of Film

By: Jasmine Castenada

The Atlanta Film Society would like to highlight prominent women and organizations in the film industry that raise the bar for gender equity and filmmaking. These individuals and organizations help create a supportive environment for women in the industry by giving them more opportunities and spreading awareness of the underrepresentation of women in film and media.

Women in Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA) is a non-profit organization that works to create equal opportunities for women in the entertainment industry in Georgia. Its members include media professionals who help other members network through their organizations and businesses, helping ensure women get the recognition they deserve throughout the film industry. WIFTA provides panels and educational programs and offers internships and scholarships for women interested in improving their skills . With over 600 members and 40+ affiliated organizations, they are leading the way for women to progress in the television and film industry.

The Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS) has also created a program for women to have a strong support system and voice in the Atlanta film community called New Mavericks. Every quarter, they will be highlighting different departments in the industry and providing panels, screenings, workshops, and more for women in the Atlanta area. They want to engage with established local female film professionals and provide more opportunities to women who are interested in learning the art of filmmaking. Any events or meet-ups will be posted on the ATLFS website and social media accounts. ATLFS is also taking suggestions on how to move forward with New Mavericks Programming, fill out the survey before July 1, 2020

Naomi McDougall Jones, an award-winning actress, women in film activist, producer, and writer, is an inspiration to women in the film industry. Her second film, Bite Me, premiered at the Cinequest Film festival and won Best Feature Film at the Vermont International Film Festival. She then embarked on a three month nation-wide tour with 51 screenings in 40 cities.  Bite Me is now available to stream on Amazon, GooglePlay, and iTunes. Her first film, Imagine I’m Beautiful, which she starred in, wrote, and produced, won 12 awards during its run on the film festival circuit. She is an advocate for women in the film industry and frequently hosts panels and conferences to help shed light on the issues that women face while working in this industry. Her TEDTalk, What It’s Like to be a Woman in Hollywood, has over 1 million views and counting. She is also the founder and CEO of 51 Fund, a private equity fund that finances female filmmakers. Naomi regularly teaches courses on a variety of topics, both in collaboration with ATLFS and on her own. Her next class series with ATLFS is Indie Film Development Intensive and begins July 5, 2020. This class is designed for students who already have a feature-length screenplay that is more-or-less finished and who are ready to begin project development in earnest.

ATLFS and Georgia State University Public Relation students have collaborated on a series of articles on the film industry.