As a network for women, Lifetime is also largely a network by women. Female directors helmed 20% of Lifetime’s movies last year, compared to a paltry 7% for theatrical features. In the same period, women writers penned 43% of the network’s films (compared to 11% of big-screen offerings), while women executive producers managed 29% of projects (compared with 19% in the feature world).

Still, Lifetime, wants to do better by female voices and visions. To that end, it’s launched Broad Focus, a “major” new initiative to “provide women with more opportunities to write, develop, produce and direct content for the network.”

According to a press release, Broad Focus’ multi-pronged approach will “identify and develop entertainment’s best and up-and-coming creative talent with a specific lens focused on developing content dedicated to the female experience,” as well as “encourage and cultivate women’s talent in media, scout content leaders who are creating the best female-focused stories for television and advocate and raise awareness about the need for more women in influential content making roles throughout the media landscape.”

“There is a large, untapped well of female talent out there and we want to remain first in line to that source of creativity,” commented Nancy Dubuc, President and CEO, A+E Networks. “In this day in age, it’s hard to believe as an industry we still struggle to fully recognize women’s talents in behind-the-camera roles, especially as directors. Our company invests heavily in finding fresh, unique voices and Broad Focus will inspire us to look deeper and in non-traditional places to discover women among those storytellers. I’m proud we are challenging ourselves and our friends in the industry to do more to support them.”

One of Broad Focus’ first moves is a partnership with Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival (May 5–9). The network will air one of the festival’s award winners and develop a script from its screenplay contest next year.

Watch a video about Broad Focus below.