New database promoting female talent launched at Cannes

"'Where are all the women?' We are here"

by Jennie Kermode

Women remain underrepresented right across the film industry
Women remain underrepresented right across the film industry Photo: Beegaia

A new database aimed at making it easy for studios and filmmakers to find female talent in pre-production, production and post-production is being launched today at the Cannes Film Festival. "To change the conversation onscreen we need to change the conversation behind the screen," said its founder Victoria Emslie in an interview with Screen Daily.

The database, called Primetime, will be open to anyone who identifies as a woman or has experienced oppression as a woman as long a that person has at least three IMDB credits or credits from major theatrical productions or APA registered companies. The team behind it plans to launch a graduate membership in the near future in order to help those who are at an earlier stage in their careers.

"Currently men outnumber women 2:1 onscreen and 3:1 in some cases. We need to move away from a world where we are more likely to see an alien than an Asian women onscreen," says the site. "Primetime hopes to provide a simple solution to one of the industry’s most frequently asked questions in addition to providing a promotional platform and support network for our members."

Acknowledging the issue of sexual harassment in the industry, Primetime is partnering with Spot, an organisation that facilitates anonymous reporting.

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