It is very difficult for young women to get involved in the world of media because the industry is mostly run by men. That’s where Women In Film (or WIF) comes in. WIF is a non-profit organization that helps promote equal rights for women in the entertainment industry. Their goal is to see equal representation of women on and off screen, whether it be in acting or production.
Founded by Tichi Wilkerson Kassel in 1973, WIF centers on the resources provided for future filmmakers and advocates for women in film. Scholarships, grants and funds are given to help create films. The organization creates many programs for all types of women, regardless of background. WIF has worked with Sundance Film Festival to help female filmmakers gain gender equality and conduct research to understand the struggles women have to face to have the chance to take part in top grossing films.
Dr. Stacy Smith and her team at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, researched women taking part in independent filmmaking in three phases. The first phase is “Exploring the Barriers and Opportunities for Independent Women Filmmakers” where they examined gender differences in film submissions. Phase two, “analyzes the rate at which female filmmakers enter Sundance’s artist labs and the rate at which they subsequently complete and exhibit their work.” Finally, phase 3, “explores how female directors fare after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival” in order to create and understand a equality for women in film.
In an industry where men have most of the control, it is hard for not only women to get involved but is specifically difficult for women of color. An organization like WIF, helps spread the word and publicize the issue regarding the lack of women in the movie business.