A comprehensive student-led study from ������Ƶ Allison University has found that women continue to be marginalized in Oscar-nominated films, despite decades of social movements advocating for gender equity in Hollywood. 

The report, Women in Twenty-First Century Oscar-Nominated Film: Limited Progress, examined 188 films nominated for Best Picture and Best Animated Feature between 2001 and 2023. The research highlights a persistent gender gap in both character representation and industry leadership roles. 

Key Findings 

• Only 6% of Oscar-nominated films were directed by women, limiting the number of complex female characters represented on screen. 
• The average number of female characters per film rose from 4.8 (2000–2010) to 6.8 (2011–2022), yet only 12% of films had more women than men. 
• Racialized women are most underrepresented: 64% of films failed the Ko Test for respectful portrayal of non-white female characters. 
• Gender stereotypes endure: Caregiver and damsel-in-distress tropes remain among the most common roles for women. 
• Industry standards fall short: The Academy’s current Representation and Inclusion Standards fail to adequately reflect women’s share of society. 

“Our findings show that representation is still largely skewed toward male voices and perspectives,” says Canada Research Chair in Intercultural Encounter and Professor, Visual and Material Culture Studies, Dr. Lauren Beck. “When women direct, we see a clear increase in the presence and complexity of female characters. Creating space for women behind the camera is key to changing the narrative on screen.” 

������Ƶ Allison student researcher Mya Artibello adds, “It was shocking to see how little progress has been made over two decades. We talk about inclusivity, but the data shows women —especially women of colour — are still left behind.” 

The report calls on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the broader industry to: 

• Expand opportunities for female directors and executives through funding, mentorship, and hiring initiatives. 
• Revise Representation and Inclusion Standards to explicitly address gender equity and apply them to all award categories, not just Best Picture. 
• Increase transparency by publishing diversity assessment results for nominated films. 
• Raise the threshold for inclusivity, requiring films to meet more robust gender and diversity criteria. 

“Hollywood has the power to shape how society sees women,” says co-author Kate McSweeney (‘23). “This research shows it’s time for structural change — not just conversations — if we want the Oscars to reflect the world we live in.” 

About the Study 
Women in Twenty-First Century Oscar-Nominated Film: Limited Progress is a collaborative research project from ������Ƶ Allison University’s Introduction to Visual Culture (VMCS 1201) class, Winter 2024. Co-authored by Canada Research Chair in Intercultural Encounter and Professor, Visual and Material Culture Studies Dr. Lauren Beck and Kate McSweeney, the study analyzed Oscar-nominated Best Picture and Best Animated Feature films from 2001 to 2023 using gender representation metrics, diversity tests, and leadership data.