Guillermo del Toro is speaking out about the sexism plaguing the film industry. “I think the goal has to be 50-50 by 2020. If it’s 50-50 by 2019, that’s even better,” he said, referring to the movement towards achieving parity and inclusion at fests. The Oscar-winning “Shape of Water” director is serving as jury prez at Venice this year. The fest has been under pressure to follow in the footsteps of Cannes, Locarno, and Sarajevo and sign the 5050×2020 Pledge, which strives for better gender representation and transparency by the year 2020. After facing scrutiny in the press, Venice, which initially showed reluctance, signed, and the fest will address the pledge publicly Friday, August 31.

“Babadook” helmer Jennifer Kent’s “The Nightingale” is the only woman-directed film screening in Venice’s Competition this year.

According to Variety, Del Toro mentioned that he’s currently producing five movies, and three of them will be helmed by woman. Two are making their feature debuts.

“We have a real problem now,” he observed. “It’s a real problem in our culture in general. Many of the voices that need to be heard have to be heard. It’s not a matter of establishing a quota; it’s a matter of in this time, precisely this type of conversation [is needed] to call it out and make it known. I think it’s necessary because for many decades, if not centuries, it has not been called [out],” he emphasized.

This year Del Toro became the third Mexican director to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Director. Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Babel,” “Birdman”) and Alfonso Cuarón (“Gravity”) were previously recognized.

Besides Sally Hawkins-starrer “The Shape of Water,” Del Toro’s credits include “Crimson Peak,” “Pacific Rim,” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.”