Oscars body launches new initiatives to encourage women filmmakers

The organisers of the Oscars announced a number of new initiatives intended to promoting and helping female filmmakers. Called “Action: The Academy Women’s Initiative,” the programme will involve a one-year fellowship for women filmmakers and executives, a lunch that will bring together women across the industry, and a directory aimed at improving female networking and hiring opportunities.

The announcement is a result of demand from women in the movie industry for stronger voices, better pay and more jobs behind and in front of the camera.

“As we continue to advocate for inclusion, we are honoured to bring Academy members and the filmmaking community together to support women in all stages of their careers,” Academy Chief Executive Dawn Hudson said in a statement.

The Women of the Academy lunch will take place in London and Los Angeles later this month while the one-year fellowship will be awarded to an emerging woman filmmaker in the US, and in Britain.