After no women directors were nominated at the Academy Awards this year, despite the number of worthy contenders, TimesUp is hoping to change the game.
At Sundance this weekend, Dr. Stacy L. Smith from USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative unveiled 4% Challenge. It challenges actors and producers to commit to doing a film with a female director (especially one of color) within the next 18 months. When it was announced the likes of Angela Robinson, Paul Feig, Amy Schumer and Franklin Leonard had already committed to the challenge.
After Smith’s announcement, Tessa Thompson, Kerry Washington, Jordan Peele and tons more also got on board.
The challenge is named for the startling statistic of only 4 percent of the 1200 top grossing films in from 2007-2018 being directed by women.
ABSOLUTELY! YES!!!!!!!!! #TimesUp https://t.co/6xqOAIKrrj
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 25, 2019
I accept the @TIMESUPNOW #4percentChallenge and pledge to work with a female director on a feature film in the next 18 months. pic.twitter.com/3v4A9CZaVb
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 27, 2019
Love this!@bad_robot is 100% on board!
Thank you @TessaThompson_x, @TIMESUPNOW and @Inclusionists! https://t.co/YCvIGqF4I4— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) January 27, 2019
You know I’m in!!!! https://t.co/uQaf5h9rzC
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) January 27, 2019
Hell yes I’m in. ???? #4percentChallenge https://t.co/rljAhwD15n
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) January 26, 2019
READ MORE:
Meet The Ugandan Filmmaker Racking Up Festival Awards With Her Astonishing Film ‘Kyenvu’