More fests are showing support — and agreeing to do their part — in making the film industry more inclusive. Heartland Film Inc., the nonprofit organizer of the Heartland International Film Festival and Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival, has signed the 5050×2020 gender parity pledge. A press release confirmed the news.
Both fests have committed to reaching gender parity in their film lineups by 2020 but plan to beat that goal with parity across this year’s programs. Heartland Film will make information regarding the gender parity of its selection committees, submitting filmmakers, and selected filmmakers available.
“Gender disparity in the film industry continues to be an important yet dismissed epidemic; it is easy to say the problem is bigger than one organization or person’s decision, but that is simply not true,” said Heartland Film Director of Film Programming, Greg Sorvig. “Film festivals need to consider gender parity as a standard right alongside technical quality, story, and genre when rounding out its program. By committing to the 5050×2020 pledge and partnering with Alliance of Women Directors, Heartland Film is taking a stand for what is right. My hope is that our colleagues in the industry will join us and other top-tier film festivals around the world in making this change.”
Heartland Film Programming Coordinator Julia Ricci added, “A common myth is that women aren’t making films or they’re not submitting to festivals. That is far from the truth,” she emphasized. “The talent is out there and they have something to say; it is important for film festivals to amplify these voices and provide equal opportunity across the board. Heartland’s track record of recognizing and honoring female filmmakers is growing stronger each year, and I’m thrilled that we are officially committing to this initiative.”
Introduced at the 2018 edition of Cannes, the Pledge is a way to hold fests accountable as they work towards full gender parity. Cannes, Toronto, and Venice are among the many festivals that have signed the Pledge.
“In [Heartland’s] 2018 programming, four out of five top Grand Prize winners–accounting for more than $70,000 in cash prizes and an Academy Award-qualifying shorts category–were directed by women and more than 50 percent of jury members and screening committee members were female,” the press release notes. “In total, female-led productions accounted for 38 percent of the overall programming for both festivals and additional panel discussions were offered to draw attention to the cause.” In other words, Heartland is already considerably further on the path to parity than some other fests.
In addition to signing the 5050×2020 pledge, Heartland Film has also formed an official partnership with the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD), becoming the first organization to commit to the Dorothy Arzner Partnership, which guarantees a programmed block of AWD films and complimentary submission waivers for all AWD members. A block of AWD member-directed short films will screen at Indy Shorts this year.
“Alliance of Women Director’s partnership with Heartland Film exemplifies the synergistic efforts between filmmakers and festivals that can lead to real change in the industry,” said AWD Founder and Chairperson Jennifer Warren. “We are thrilled that our members will have the opportunity to work with this outstanding organization which supports women filmmakers and understands that representation matters.”
Submissions are now open for the 2019 Heartland International Film Festival, which screens feature films 41 minutes plus and runs from October 10-20, as well as the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, which screens short films 40 minutes or less and runs from July 25-28. More info can be found on Heartland’s website.
