Many top animation programs boast 50% or more female students in their graduating classes, but the cartoon world still employs four men for every woman.
In response to this stark gender inequity, the organization Women in Animation has launched a new initiative called “50–50 by 2025” that seeks to increase the ranks of women animators, beginning with panels at View Conference and World Animation Celebration, a symposium at Spark Animation Conference and an upcoming shorts program.
“What is the disconnect between graduation and employment? How can we stem the attrition of women?” asked WIA chairperson Jinko Gotoh, who is currently moderating a panel on the subject at the View Conference in Turin, Italy. The “Finding Nemo” producer concluded, “We need to take a hard look at the real numbers needed to reach this goal.”
WIA will host another panel on gender in animation and provide details on its planned shorts proram at LA’s World Animation Celebration on October 25.
It will also provide a day-long forum to discuss the issue at Vancouver’s Spark Animation Conference, where it will sponsor the “Women and the Business of Animation” symposium on October 23.
“We want to make a difference by educating and inspiring women in the business of animation,” said producer Rose-Ann Tisserand, who will co-chair the function with Gotoh. “We’ve had phenomenal interest and support, which indicates how relevant and timely this symposium is.”
Tisserand will moderate the symposium, while panelists will include Alex Raffe, Brenda Gilbert, Delna Bhesania, J.J. Johnson Kirsten Newlands and WIA co-president Marge Dean.
READ MORE: The 10 Most Gut-Punching Moments From BuzzFeed’s Exposé on Sexism in Animation
[via Variety]
