Minority representation in the video production industry is an important issue that has been widely discussed in recent years. While minorities have made significant contributions to the industry, they are still underrepresented in key roles such as directors, producers, and writers. The minorities in video production include but not limited to: African American, Latinx, Asian, Native American, Indian American, LGBTQ and Women.
According to a study by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA, in 2020, minorities represented just 13.9% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 250 domestic grossing films.
Supporting the work of minorities within the video production industry can help to increase representation and diversity in the industry and open up opportunities for minorities. If you'd like more information on specific groups, continue reading.
Women
Women have made significant contributions to the video production industry, but they are still underrepresented in key roles such as directors, producers, and writers. According to a study by San Diego State University's Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, in 2020, women accounted for only 23% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 250 domestic grossing films.
There are a number of women-owned and operated production companies, such as:
Annapurna Pictures, owned by Megan Ellison, which has produced a wide range of critically acclaimed films such as American Hustle, Her, and Vice.
Big Beach, owned by Marc Turtletaub, which is known for producing independent films like Little Miss Sunshine and Safety Not Guaranteed.
Color Force, owned by Nina Jacobson, which is known for producing films such as The Hunger Games series and Crazy Rich Asians.
There are also a number of women independent filmmakers and directors who have made a name for themselves in the industry, such as:
Greta Gerwig, a director and writer known for her films such as Ladybird and Little Women.
Ava DuVernay, a director and producer known for her films such as Selma, A Wrinkle in Time and 13th.
Kathryn Bigelow, a director and producer known for her films such as The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty.
Supporting the work of women within the video production industry can help to increase representation and diversity in the industry and open up opportunities for women.
LGBTQ
LGBTQ representation in the video production industry is an important issue that has been widely discussed in recent years. While LGBTQ individuals have made significant contributions to the industry, they are still underrepresented in key roles such as directors, producers, and writers.
There are a number of LGBTQ-owned and operated production companies, such as:
Strand Releasing, owned by Marcus Hu, an independent film distribution company specializing in LGBTQ films.
Wolfe Video, owned by Maria Lynn Wolfe, an independent film distribution company specializing in LGBTQ films.
There are also a number of LGBTQ independent filmmakers and directors who have made a name for themselves in the industry, such as:
Lisa Cholodenko, a lesbian filmmaker known for films like The Kids Are All Right and Laurel Canyon.
Dee Rees, a lesbian filmmaker known for films like Pariah and Mudbound.
Gus Van Sant, a gay filmmaker known for films like My Own Private Idaho and Milk.
Supporting the work of LGBTQ individuals and companies within the video production industry can help to increase representation and diversity in the industry and open up opportunities for the LGBTQ community.
Native-American
Native American representation in the video production industry is an important issue that has been widely discussed in recent years. While Native American individuals have made significant contributions to the industry, they are still underrepresented in key roles such as directors, producers, and writers.
There are a number of Native American-owned and operated production companies, such as:
Rezolution Pictures, owned by Lisa Meeches, a Canadian indigenous film and television production company.
Eagle Vision, owned by Randy Redroad, a Native American independent film and television production company.
There are also a number of Native American independent filmmakers and directors who have made a name for themselves in the industry, such as:
Chris Eyre, a Cheyenne and Arapaho filmmaker known for films like Smoke Signals and Skins.
Sterlin Harjo, a Seminole/Muscogee filmmaker known for films like Four Sheets to the Wind and Mekko.
Supporting the work of Native American individuals and companies within the video production industry can help to increase representation and diversity in the industry and open up opportunities for the Native American community.
Latinx
The Latinx community has made significant contributions to the video production industry, and there are a growing number of Latinx-owned and operated production companies and independent filmmakers. However, representation and opportunities for Latinx individuals in the video production industry are still limited and underrepresented, and there is ongoing work to improve diversity and representation in the industry.
Some Latinx-owned and operated video production companies include:
In addition, there are a growing number of Latinx independent filmmakers who are making a name for themselves in the industry, such as:
Carlos López Estrada, a filmmaker and music video director who has worked with artists like Kendrick Lamar, and his feature film 'Blindspotting' was critically acclaimed.
Cristina Ibarra, an award-winning documentarian who has explored the experiences of the Latinx community in her films.
Patricia Riggen, a Mexican director who is known for her work on movies such as "Under the Same Moon" and "Miracles from Heaven".
Supporting the work of Latinx individuals and companies within the video production industry can help to increase representation and diversity in the industry and open up opportunities for the Latinx community.
African-American
African-American representation in the video production industry is an important issue that has been widely discussed in recent years. While African-American individuals have made significant contributions to the industry, they are still underrepresented in key roles such as directors, producers, and writers.
There are a number of African-American-owned and operated production companies, such as:
Harpo Productions, owned by Oprah Winfrey, which has produced a wide range of TV shows, films, and other media.
Will Packer Productions, owned by Will Packer, which is known for producing films that feature African-American actors and stories, such as "Girls Trip" and "Night School"
Codeblack Films, owned by Jeff Clanagan, which focuses on producing films that tell stories about the African-American experience.
There are also a number of African-American independent filmmakers and directors who have made a name for themselves in the industry, such as:
Ava DuVernay, who directed critically acclaimed films such as "Selma" and "A Wrinkle in Time"
Ryan Coogler, who directed and co-wrote the critically acclaimed films "Fruitvale Station" and "Black Panther"
Spike Lee, who has directed and produced a number of films exploring the African-American experience, such as "Do the Right Thing" and "BlacKkKlansman"
Supporting the work of African-American individuals and companies within the video production industry can help to increase representation and diversity in the industry and open up opportunities for the African-American community.
Asian
Asian representation in the video production industry is an important issue that has been widely discussed in recent years. While Asian individuals have made significant contributions to the industry, they are still underrepresented in key roles such as directors, producers, and writers.
There are a number of Asian-owned and operated production companies, such as:
SK Global, owned by John Penotti, an Asian-American producer known for producing films like Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell.
Bona Film Group, one of the largest privately-owned film production companies in China, has produced a wide range of films and TV shows.
Infinitum Nihil, owned by Johnny Depp, which has produced films like The Lone Ranger and Transcendence.
There are also a number of Asian independent filmmakers and directors who have made a name for themselves in the industry, such as:
Ang Lee, an Academy award-winning Taiwanese filmmaker known for films like Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi.
Bong Joon Ho, a South Korean filmmaker known for films such as Snowpiercer, Okja and his most recent award winning film Parasite.
Lulu Wang, a Chinese-American director and writer known for her feature film The Farewell.
Supporting the work of Asian individuals and companies within the video production industry can help to increase representation and diversity in the industry and open up opportunities for the Asian community.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, and a lot of the production companies and people mentioned here have work that is in the mainstream. In the future, we plan to create a post that focuses more on smaller, lesser known production companies and people that deserve just as much attention for the great work they produce.