In a significant turnaround, the percentage of top-grossing films featuring female protagonists reached 54% in 2024, up from 30% the previous year, according to new studies from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. This landmark figure, the highest since data collection began in 2007 when it was just 20%, reflects a growing trend in the film industry. However, progress for underrepresented racial groups lagged, with only 25% of films featuring non-white leads. Experts call for further action to enhance diversity in film beyond just gender representation.
For the first time in recent history, the percentage of top-grossing films featuring female protagonists equaled the percentage of films with male protagonists.
'Films such as The Substance pushed back hard against a culture that considers women disposable,' said Martha Lauzen, highlighting the shift in female representation.
While the number of films with female protagonists rose to a historic high in 2024 after a dismally lean 2023, the percentages of women in major roles reflected only minor gains.
The progress we saw for female-identified leads was not matched by the findings for underrepresented leads, suggesting a need for further advancement in diversity.
#film-industry #female-protagonists #diversity-in-cinema #usc-annenberg-study #representation-in-film
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