Gender Equity in Film Hiring: 2025 ReFrame Report Findings

The latest ReFrame report, which evaluates gender equity in the film industry, reveals a concerning decline in gender-balanced hiring among the top 100 films of 2025. The initiative, launched by the Sundance Institute and Women in Film (WIF) in partnership with IMDbPro, aims to promote gender equity in film production. According to the report, only 26 films received the ReFrame Stamp, a decrease of four from the previous year. This decline is accompanied by a significant reduction in the representation of women and nonbinary directors, which fell from 20 in 2023 to 11 in 2025. Additionally, the number of lead female performers dropped from 51 in 2024 to 39 in 2025, including one transgender actor. Ethnic diversity also saw a downturn, with only seven women of color in lead roles, marking the lowest representation in eight years.

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Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of WIF, emphasized the report's implications, stating, “This report’s findings point to a significant divestment in women-led projects — creating a narrowing pipeline of opportunities for women and gender-diverse people across the industry.” The report highlights a troubling trend where productions are not only failing to improve gender equity but are regressing. The founders of ReFrame, Cathy Schulman and Keri Putnam, noted that the ReFrame Stamp was intended as a baseline for inclusion, and the current situation indicates a failure to meet even this minimum standard.

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Despite the overall decline, the report indicates that films with budgets exceeding $100 million maintained a consistent 26 percent rate of receiving the ReFrame Stamp, similar to the previous year. Netflix stood out by achieving the ReFrame Stamp for at least 50 percent of its releases. Notable films that earned the Stamp in 2025 include "After the Hunt" directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Julia Roberts, "Ballerina" featuring Ana de Armas, and "Die My Love" directed by Lynne Ramsay and starring Jennifer Lawrence, among others.

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The findings have sparked criticism from industry advocates who argue that the regression in gender equity is alarming. Schaffer called for intentional hiring practices guided by the ReFrame Stamp criteria to foster a more equitable industry. The report serves as a call to action for those in positions of hiring power to prioritize gender diversity in their productions.

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• “This report’s findings point to a significant divestment in women-led projects — creating a narrowing pipeline of opportunities for women and gender-diverse people across the industry,” — Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of WIF

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The ReFrame report underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving gender equity in the film industry, highlighting the need for renewed commitment and action to reverse the current trends.

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