Film Funding Gap: Women Face Systemic Barriers

Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat asserted that a lack of funding and institutional ignorance create inherent disadvantages for women in the film industry. Speaking at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Sadat explained that discrimination begins at the development stage, contributing to the low ratio of women-led films in competitions.

Serbian director Jelena Maksimović corroborated these challenges, noting that financial barriers often compel filmmakers into conformity. She referenced past difficulties in Yugoslavia and the more recent impact of political retaliation on film funding in Serbia, following student-led protests. Maksimović highlighted that male filmmakers historically enjoyed privileges denied to women.

Both directors discussed the 'cultural mafia' and systemic inequalities that limit opportunities. Sadat pointed to European filmmaking as an alternative system, though it still harbors gender imbalances. She specifically cited the Venice Film Festival, where only one of twenty competition films was by a woman, and the artistic director's comment that female directors' quality was insufficient for competition.

Maksimović stressed the need to change funding systems and committees, advocating against tokenism. Sadat concluded that change, particularly in war-torn regions like Afghanistan, begins with small, incremental steps rather than waiting for large-scale overhauls, acknowledging that progress occurs gradually over extended periods.