Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) and post-production house Chimney have launched a new gender equality initiative. WIFTI unveiled 10% for 50/50, which provides rebates to gender-balanced productions, at Berlinale on Friday. A press release announced the news.
Participating production and post houses, facility houses, and other service and tech providers will offer 10 percent rebates to projects that hire women-identifying individuals in four out of eight key roles, as outlined by ReFrame: writer, director, producer, lead, co-lead, speaking parts, department heads, and crew.
“We need to work together, side by side, to create change in our industry,” said WIFTI prez Helene Granqvist. “I’m extremely happy that so many companies in this male-dominated industry are recognizing that working for equality is good for business, and have chosen to partner with WIFT on this important initiative.”
“We were extremely excited to hear of the 10% for 50/50 initiative that Chimney and Women in Film & Television International are launching,” commented Nadia Khamlich and Adrian Politowski, co-founders of 10% for 50/50 participant Umedia. “As a group we pride ourselves on our commitment to parity in the office space, parity on set, and parity on screen. With projects like ‘I Kill Giants,’ we look to tell new and innovative stories for women, about women, made by women in hopes to help be a part of creating the change we so badly wish to see,” they continued. “This commitment to change, begins with initiatives like this one and we are proud to stand up and join WIFTI and Chimney in this new and exciting endeavor.”
In other Berlinale news, artistic director Dieter Kosslick signed the Gender Parity Pledge on Saturday, pushing the fest to achieve greater gender parity, including better transparency into its selection processes, by the year 2020. Women in Film and Television Germany and 5050×2020, an offshoot of Le Deuxième Regard, organized the signing.
Women and Hollywood Founder and Publisher Melissa Silverstein, with Chairwoman of Pro Quote Film Barbara Rohm, moderated a round table of women’s organizations attending the Berlinale on Friday. Anna Serner, CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, delivered a keynote address.
A list of companies that have signed on for 10% for 50/50 so far are below. Organizations interested in participating should contact WIFTI.
ACT3, Denmark
Angel Films, Finland
BeoPost, Denmark
Chimney, USA, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Finland
Dagsljus, Sweden
Dramatify, Sweden
FilmGear , Denmark
Good Film & Post, Sweden
Gothenburg Studios, Sweden
Ljud & Bildmedia, Sweden
Maan Rental, Denmark
Ola Bäccman, Sweden
Post Control, Finland
RedPipe, Sweden
ShortCutOslo, Norway
Sparks, Hungary
Storyline, Norway
TGBVFX, Denmark
The Line, Sweden
UMedia, US, UK, France, Belgium
WayCreative, Sweden
