For thousands and thousands of years, stories have carried and held together societies of all kinds. From ancient mythology to modern fairytales, these stories are either a reflection of the way humans function or an influence in how they will function. For the large majority of time, tales have been told orally, and it was only in recent centuries that they have started  to be recorded. Today, filmmaking is used on a mass scale to entertain, teach, and fascinate its audience. Over the past couple of years this industry has gone through a lot of changes. One very impactful change is the shift in the gender dynamics. The Google result when “famous filmmakers” is searched is a series of photos, almost all of which are old white men. In the fall of 2017 the #MeToo movement, which helps women tell their experience with sexual assault, blew up all over social media. Harvey Weinstein was in the headlines for months with more than 80 women accusing him of sexual misconduct. Weinstein held a lot of power for many years and as an owner of Miramax he was part of making countless classic films. Once someone as untouchable as Weinstein was taken out of the game, accusations flooded in and changed the industry forever.

Just a little over a year later the filmmaking world has seen great changes and has recognized that there is still a lot to be done. Ashlynn d’Harcourt has taken many courses on media and how it relates to minorities or oppressed people. On of the courses she took was called “Women and Gender Studies in the Fine Arts” which makes her very knowledgeable on this topic. “ I predict that Me Too will continue to call out occasional individuals, but not significantly impact structural misogyny and racism in the entertainment industry or elsewhere.” With more diverse actors, directors, writers, and producers the world of filmmaking is entering a new era of honesty and integrity. So, what’s next?

Who better to speak about women in film than a woman working that very industry. “The change is already happening. This year women represented 42% of Sundance Competition Directors.” Marysia Makowska is a female filmmaker based in New York City. She travels and collaborates with all kinds of people. And she is correct. The world changes without permission and now it’s just a matter of catching up. So far this year there have been some incredible accomplishments for women. Mimi Leder directed “On The Basis of Sex”, which tells the story of the feminist Icon, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “A Wrinkle In Time” is an award winning remake of the novel by Madeleine L’Engle and it was directed by Ava DuVernay. Desiree Akhavan was the mastermind director behind “The Miseducation Of Cameron Post”. Despite Being fictional and fantastical, all of these films tell a unique story about real human things. That is the beauty that women bring to the industry and it is finally being acknowledged. d’Harcourt said,talking about her studies, “It has also helped me see the ways in which people have been able to use media to resist the status quo.” The films people watch everyday have a fascinating way of working their way into our subconscious minds and forming the way we think. With all of these inspiring films being released there is a sort of revolution that has started in the back of people’s minds. This is how the media builds our future and hopefully this new era will reflect positively in our culture.

Avery Jenkins is a young aspiring film creator who has high hopes for what the industry might be like in this new wave of creations. “As a young woman I have been trying to figure out where I want my life to go. I grew up watching good films and they have helped shape the way I think. I want to be a part of shaping the next generation.” Women like Makowska who have made a living off of their passion lead by example. Living in NYC at this time and working in the production of film gives her a unique perspective. “My video titled “Pretty Is” is definitely my strongest feminist piece to date. It talks about beauty standards and the fact that we’ve been told what “pretty” is for hundred of years.” With her voice Makowska has made statements of her own and encourages individuality. Now, according to d’Harcourt there is more opportunity to see films like “Pretty Is” on more streaming sites and get them more exposure. “These latter modes of distribution are subscription based, and do not need to be concerned about their content offending conservative interest groups and advertisers. This allows creatives more freedom to tell their stories how they would like.”

The film industry is no longer turning a blind eye to the injustices that result from unbalanced power inamics. There is a wide world of new possibilities for discriminated groups to start telling their stories. “My hope is that the film industry starts letting previously disadvantaged groups tell their stories via the medium of cinema – not as witnesses, but as creators.” Makowska looks forward to a world where all this and much more is possible. If the media continue son this path it might even stop paying so much to womens appearances and shift its focus to the product of their minds. Jenkins has attended classes with other young creators and knows that if people like them are given support, great things will happen. “The future they see is bright and they are determined to create it.” Makowska shares some words of wisdom directed at all the young women out there. “Don’t get discouraged just because you see mostly male directors and male crews on set. Just do it – write a script for a short film; grab a camera, an iPhone; get access to editing an program; get out there and start telling your stories.”

Link to the “Pretty Is” video: https://vimeo.com/251171064