The Senate asks the Government to impose a mandatory percentage of films directed by women in Film Festivals

The Senate Culture Commission ha approved this Tuesday unanimously a motion from the Popular Parliamentary Group urging the Government to adopt certain measures to support the film industry, including the reservation of a “mandatory” minimum percentage of programming at film festivals for works directed by women.

The motion has been defended by the ‘popular’ senator Maria Jose Ortega what has lamented the absence of women in leadership positions in the film industry as shown by the fact that 16 of the 125 festivals supported by the ICAA, only 14 percent are directed by women.

“It is true, and we cannot deny it, there has been significant progress in leadership and management roles, but it is also true that we still face challenges, including the need for greater visibility and breaking historical stereotypes in women’s decision-making in this area“he stated.

However, he pointed out that in the spaces where the direction of the festivals is decided, the female presence is “practically testimonial.” “It is not about displacing anyone or imposing quotas. We intend to open doors and break inertia that still remain to be broken and that allow the feminine vision to be visible and effective,” he indicated.

The approved motion calls for designing and implementing effective strategies to increase female representation in leadership positions within the film industry, especially in the direction and management of film festivals. In addition, calls for establishing a professional mentoring system and structured support networks that connect emerging filmmakers with established professionalsas well as promoting the creation of specific funds and scholarships for projects led by women.

In addition, it calls for the reservation of a mandatory minimum percentage of programming at film festivals for works directed by women and to disseminate public awareness campaigns about gender diversity in culture.

THE CASE OF THE SAN SEBASTIÁN FESTIVAL

During the spokesperson’s turn, the EH Bildu senator, Josu Estarrona, has shown his support for the motion for its “sensibility”, although he believes that there are differences between Spanish festivals, especially in the case of San Sebastián.

In her opinion, the Basque contest is an example by having 75 percent women on its staff (31 women and 10 men), despite the fact that she has recognized that the films that participate in the Official Section are mostly made up of male filmmakers.

“Perhaps this difference is not as big as in other festivals, although there is room for improvement“, he pointed out. Consequently, the PP senator, María José Ortega, recalled that the San Sebastián Festival has two deputy directors, but “the senior director is a man”, alluding to José Luis Rebordinos.

Likewise, socialist senator Marta Jorgina has defended that the Government and the Ministries of Culture and Equality are committed to equality and it is a “priority” for them.

“Cinema has an essential democratic value, but it can only be fully deployed if women have the same professional and creative opportunities,” she stressed.

The PSOE senator has stated that the Ministry of Culture already actively participates in the main festivals where some of the measures proposed in the motion “are a priority.” ““Female participation in festivals is increasingly palpable”he has asserted.

A “SURPRISE” MOTION

On the other hand, the senators have admitted their “surprise” at the proposal presented by the PP. For example, Más Madrid senator Carla Delgado has assured that she would vote in favor because it is a “founded” proposal and she believes that we must “advance effective equality in the audiovisual sector.” “When they do things with reason, we vote in favor of them“he explained.

For his part, the PNV senator, Igotz López Torre, has also spoken of “surprise” and has acknowledged that he has “looked for the trap” of the PP, although he has not found it. “I hope it was because there is no trick or cardboard,” he joked. The senator has assured that the lack of female visibility is “a general problem” in culture and not just in festivals. “I would love for this attitude and sensitivity of the PP to extend to other subjects and areas.“he claimed.

In the case of the Junts senator, Francesc Xavier Ten Costa, who has also confessed his “surprise”, he has defended the motion for its “positive” tone when addressing equality. “Catalan cinema today would not be understood without the great role of female filmmakers, screenwriters, art directors or production directors, among others. They have been the catapult of Catalan cinema“, he added.

Finally, Ortega (PP) has rejected that the motion has “any background beyond what is stated” and has stressed that they seek progress to culminate in achieving equity in any area. “We must continue expanding, consolidating, improving and perfecting all those measures and policies that have worked until now, but that have not yet come to fruition.”“, he concluded.