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THE NFB’S COMMITMENT TO GENDER PARITY: IN YEAR FOUR, CONTINUED STRONG RESULTS IN FILMS DIRECTED BY WOMEN—WITH NET IMPROVEMENTS IN KEY CREATIVE POSITIONS

PRESS RELEASE
04/03/2020

March 4, 2020 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

On the eve of International Women’s Day, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has announced that it continues to meet its gender-parity goals, both for the number of productions directed by women and for production budgets allocated to women—four years after making its initial commitment.

It also surpassed its goals for gender parity in two of four key creative functions, screenwriting (61%) and editing (55%), with net progress in cinematography and music composition. The NFB expanded its gender-parity commitment to these areas in 2017.

2019–2020 results*:

For works directed by women:

  • 46% of NFB works were directed by women (40% by men and 14% by mixed teams)
  • 44% of the NFB production budget was allocated to works created by women (42% for works by men and 14% for works by mixed teams)

For women in key creative positions:

  • 61% of NFB works were written by women (35% by men and 4% by mixed teams)
  • 55% of NFB works were edited by women (41% by men and 4% by mixed teams)
  • 22% of NFB works have cinematography by women (72% by men and 6% by mixed teams)
  • 19% of NFB works have music scores composed by women (73% by men and 5% by mixed teams)

*Preliminary data as of March 1, 2020, for works in all phases of production during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020.

Quote:

“I want to pay tribute to all the creative women from every background who bring their talent and vision to the NFB. The progress we’ve made to date is due to these women as well as to the dedication of our entire NFB team, at all levels, especially at our production studios. Knowing that there is still work to do, these latest results show what hard work and determination can achieve.”

– Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB

At a glance:

GENDER PARITY AT THE NFB
A COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF RESULTS

ONGOING PROJECTS 2019-2020

 

 2015-2016
Launch of gender-parity initiative
Women 46% 45%
Men 40% 47%
Mixed 14% 7%

 

EXPENDITURES OF ONGOING PROJECTS 2019-2020

 

 2015-2016
Launch of gender-parity initiative
Women 44% 44%
Men 42% 39%
Mixed 14% 14%

CREATIVE POSITIONS 

SCREENWRITING 2019-2020 2016-2017
Launch of commitment for creative positions
Women 61% 27%
Men 35% 45%
Mixed 4% 21%

 

EDITING 2019-2020 2016-2017
Launch of commitment for creative positions
Women 55% 24%
Men 41% 61%
Mixed 4% 2%

 

CINEMATOGRAPHY 2019-2020 2016-2017
Launch of commitment for creative positions
Women 22% 12%
Men 72% 80%
Mixed 6% 5%

 

MUSIC 2019-2020 2016-2017
Launch of commitment for creative positions
Women 19% 13%
Men 73% 67%
Mixed 5% 2%
Uncoded 3%

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Associated Links

International Women’s Day

English press release in PDF.

French press release here: PDF and link

Media Relations

  • About the NFB

    The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences, working with talented creators across the country. The NFB is taking action to combat systemic racism and become a more open and diverse organization, while working to strengthen Indigenous-led production and gender equity in film and digital media. NFB productions have won more than 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars. To access this unique content, visit NFB.ca.