France has reportedly planned to launch a state funding bonus for women-led productions, with an aim to improve gender equality in the French cinema industry. Culture Minister Francoise Nyssen, who supported the 50/50 by 2020 gender-parity pledge earlier this year, said “We cannot wait any longer. The numbers oblige us to act. As it stands, only one film in six would qualify for this subsidy. She reportedly added that this would be introduced in 2019.
Productions will work on a points system similar to a tax scheme, with points for female leaders such as director, scriptwriter or technicians (sound mixers, editors or cinematographers). The scheme will be managed by France’s National Cinema Centre (CNC), as a part of the country’s automatic and selective film production funding schemes. According to reports, 25% of French features released between 2006 and 2016 were directed by women.
The 50/50 by 2020 movement was launched by a group of film professionals including renowned actors and directors like Lea Seydoux and Jacques Audiard, pushing for gender equality by the start of the next decade. The Cannes Film Festival went on to sign the pledge in May, with other festivals such as Venice following this year.