Cate Blanchett launches program to empower female, trans & nonbinary filmmakers
Sign up for more LGBTQ+ news and updates at TrueQueer.
In a groundbreaking move to promote diversity and inclusion in the film industry, award-winning actress Cate Blanchett has launched a program aimed at empowering female, trans, and nonbinary filmmakers. The initiative, known as the Proof of Concept Accelerator Program, is a partnership between Blanchett’s Dirty Films co-founder Coco Francini and Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.
According to People magazine, the program aims to provide funding and mentorship for filmmakers whose work promotes the perspectives of women, trans, and nonbinary individuals. Blanchett revealed that her inspiration for the initiative came from a recent experience on a film set where she found herself as the only woman both in front of and behind the camera.
The shocking lack of diversity in the film industry has been well-documented by the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. Their annual report revealed that only 6 percent of directors in top-grossing movies from 2007 to 2022 were women, while less than a third of speaking roles were given to girls, women, trans, or nonbinary characters.
Blanchett expressed her disappointment with these statistics and emphasized the need for change. She stated, “I think that’s what motivated all of us to try and find a really functional, turbo-powered initiative that would help tackle the challenges that we see. This initiative is really, really exciting.”
The Proof of Concept Accelerator Program will focus on addressing three key obstacles faced by female, trans, and nonbinary directors: money, mentorship, and exposure. Starting in January, filmmakers can apply for the program, with up to eight selected participants receiving $50,000 to fund a short film. These shorts will serve as “proof of concept” for potential feature films or TV series.
Blanchett highlighted the importance of financial literacy and self-advocacy for marginalized voices in the industry. She explained, “This program will help people realize through making a short film what their feature could be like so when they take it to a studio or a streaming service or whoever, they are able to budget it, and they know what to ask for and who to ask for that money.”
In addition to financial support, participants in the Proof of Concept program will receive one-on-one mentorship from industry leaders and have the opportunity to showcase their work. Blanchett hopes that this program will empower filmmakers to view their projects as valuable assets and encourage studios and streaming services to recognize the importance of diversity in storytelling.
Blanchett emphasized the need for change in the film industry, stating, “We’re missing an enormous creative opportunity by not diversifying. Homogeneity in any industry is the death of progress and innovation. That’s certainly the case for the creative industries. When you walk onto a set that is homogenous, you can sort of taste the outcome.”
The actress believes that taking risks and embracing diversity is crucial for creating impactful and influential content. She concluded, “The things that break through that are fresh, that have influence for the next decade, always start because someone took a risk on them.”
Blanchett’s program is a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and empowering underrepresented voices in the film industry. By providing funding, mentorship, and exposure, the Proof of Concept Accelerator Program aims to create opportunities for female, trans, and nonbinary filmmakers to showcase their talent and contribute to the growth and innovation of the industry.
As the film industry continues to face scrutiny for its lack of diversity, initiatives like Blanchett’s are crucial in driving meaningful change. With more programs dedicated to empowering underrepresented voices, we can hope to see a more inclusive and representative film industry in the future.
Follow us on: Facebook for more LGBTQ+ news and updates at TrueQueer.
“Empower female filmmakers”
