A new study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Time’s Up found that film criticism is dominated by white men, with 78% of reviews from 2015 to 2017 written by male critics and 83% written by white critics.
The report reviewed reviews of the 300 highest-grossing films from 2015-2017 posted on Rotten Tomatoes to gauge the gender and race/ethnicity of critics, including how this varies by film distributor and the publications.
Nearly 60,000 reviews were recorded in the report, which found that non-white women wrote just 3.7%, white female reviews wrote 17%, and non-white men wrote 13%.
Read also : Time’s Up and USC Launch Diversity Database for Entertainment Critics and Journalists
“This study reveals that the inequality we see among critics is not a one-time problem,” said Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder and director of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. “These are stable patterns that demonstrate that the conversation surrounding films and their value is not inclusive.”
Perhaps even more glaring was the study’s finding that nearly half of the 300 films studied had no reviews from a single woman of color. Similarly, 45.4% of the 108 films directed by women and 35.1% of the 57 films with a POC actor in a lead role were not reviewed by any female critics of color.
Actress Brie Larson, who will star in “Captain Marvel” next year, praised the study for showing why representation in film criticism is essential.
Read also : Les Moonves suspended from USC School of Cinematic Arts board
“It’s important for the entertainment industry to embrace the diverse voices of film criticism that already exist and ensure that the critics who review films represent the audiences who see them,” Larson said. “We can all do our part to create access and opportunity for prospects who have long missed these conversations.”
Study comes as Time’s Up organization continues to grow CRITICALa voluntary database of female and underrepresented entertainment writers and critics.
Time’s Up stays strong for the Oscars with Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow and Heather Graham Unite (Photos)
Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow and Heather Graham were among the leading names and faces of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements at a rally at Soho House on Thursday night. The crowded event honoring Women in Hollywood and benefiting Time’s Up drew support from stars from all corners of the entertainment ecosystem: film, television, journalism, music, comedy, reality and influencers.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
The scene inside Soho House. This private club with a no-photography rule rarely allows these types of major events.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Padma Lakshmi, who recently crowned the latest “Top Chef” winner, is more of an Emmy weekend regular. She was one of the “leading and inspiring” women invited to the event co-produced by VF and its advertising partner Lancôme Paris.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Gaby Hoffman and Connie Britton. Hoffman’s “Transparent” was rocked by the allegations against Jeffrey Tambor and his subsequent departure from the show.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Showing support from all corners of the industry, former reality TV star Whitney Port and fashion commentator Louise Roe were on hand. Belvedere vodka cocktails and a new female-focused Johnnie Walker (“Jane Walker”) were also the evening’s drink partners.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Alia Shawkat, Aubrey Plaza and Zoe Kravitz show three different ways to smile.
Matt Winklemeyer/Getty Images
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
J. Alexander and Kat Graham. It’s The Party Report’s pick for “Duo of the Night.”
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
It-girl Paris Jackson, “Stranger Things” Joe Keery and Maika Monroe.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Nina Dobrev steps in with Clifton Collins Jr.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
(Getty Images for InStyle; Getty Images for DGA; AMPAS)
Stars from across the entertainment ecosystem gather at Soho House for the first major gathering of the Oscars weekend
Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow and Heather Graham were among the leading names and faces of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements at a rally at Soho House on Thursday night. The crowded event honoring Women in Hollywood and benefiting Time’s Up drew support from stars from all corners of the entertainment ecosystem: film, television, journalism, music, comedy, reality and influencers.