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Gender Equity in Film Dips in 2025 Rankings
25 Mar
Summary
- Gender-balanced hiring in top films decreased in 2025.
- Fewer women and nonbinary directors worked on top films.
- Ethnic diversity in lead roles reached an eight-year low.
Gender equity in the film industry experienced a notable decline in 2025, as indicated by a recent report from the ReFrame initiative. The analysis of IMDbPro's top 100 films revealed that only 26 productions achieved the ReFrame Stamp, signifying gender-balanced hiring, a decrease from 2024.
The report highlights a concerning trend in key roles. The number of women and nonbinary directors saw a reduction, with 11 in 2025 compared to 20 in 2023. Lead performer roles also reflected this rollback, with 39 women cast in 2025 versus 51 in the prior year. Furthermore, ethnic diversity reached its lowest point in eight years, with only seven women of color in lead positions.
Leaders within the ReFrame initiative, including WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer, expressed alarm at these findings, calling it a "significant divestment in women-led projects." They emphasized the need for intentional choices to create a more equitable industry. The founders described the ReFrame Stamp as a "floor, not a ceiling," noting that even this baseline achievement is now a minority success, signaling a reversal rather than progress in inclusive hiring.
