The 2018 Academy Award nominations are marked by a few milestones. “Mudbound’s” Rachel Morrison is the first woman to be recognized for cinematography and her film’s co-writer and director, Dee Rees, is the first black woman receive a best adapted screenplay nod. And Greta Gerwig became the fifth woman ever nominated for best director for her work on “Lady Bird.” Unfortunately, as a new Women’s Media Center (WMC) report concluded, these landmark nominations are the exception, not the rule: women represent just 23 percent of this year’s non-acting Oscar nominees.
This figure is a slight uptick from last year’s 20 percent, “despite a concerted push by women and their allies to achieve greater representation for females in all parts of the film industry,” a press release notes. At least one woman was nominated in every category besides score, sound editing, and visual effects. However, the only behind-the-scenes category that achieved gender parity was costume design. Otherwise, male nominees dominate every non-acting competition.
Besides the three that feature zero female nominees, the categories with the widest gender gap are adapted screenplay (11 percent female) and film editing (17 percent female).
Referencing the systemic sexism in Hollywood, WMC prez Julie Burton drew parallels between the prevalence of sexual harassment and the lack of Oscar nominations for women who work off-screen. “Over the past year, many brave women have stepped forward to tell stories of pervasive sexual harassment and worse in the film industry — forcing the nation to realize how little power women have had in Hollywood and sparking new demands for change,” she said. “The absence of women in critical behind-the-scenes roles … means that women in the industry are missing opportunities for recognition and power. The larger society is deprived of women’s voices, perspectives, and creativity. At a time when women are demanding more power and visibility, these low numbers should be a wake-up call for Hollywood executives,” Burton concluded. “The message is: ‘Time’s up for inequality.’”
Although Burton’s disappointed by the slow growth in non-acting nods for women, she acknowledged those who have broken barriers this year. “Rachel Morrison shattered the glass ceiling for women nominees in cinematography, and we applaud her historic achievement,” she commented. The press release also makes special mention of “Mudbound’s” Mary J. Blige, the first person to receive nods for Best Song and acting in the same year.
“These are times that call for sweeping and sustainable changes — as evidenced by the findings in this report,” observed Pat Mitchell, WMC co-chair and chair of the Sundance Institute. “The Women’s Media Center will continue to shine a light on the status of women in Hollywood,” she promised. “We are in this for the long haul.”
The Academy Awards will take place March 4. You can read the full WMC report on the org’s website. The study’s highlights are in an infographic below.
