Women Are Leading More Animated Features, but the Fight for Industry Equality Isn’t Over

The landscape of animated features is experiencing a notable transformation, with women increasingly stepping into prominent leadership roles. From executive positions in major studios to co-directing critically acclaimed films, their influence is more visible than ever. However, this progress, while encouraging, does not signal the end of the journey toward full industry equality. Significant disparities persist, particularly in directorial roles, underscoring the ongoing need for dedicated efforts to foster a truly equitable environment in animation.

The animation industry has long been recognized for its creative storytelling and visual innovation. In recent years, a new wave of female executives and creatives has been instrumental in pushing animated features forward, earning the medium renewed respect and broader appeal. These women are bringing fresh perspectives, fostering collaborative environments, and championing inclusive narratives that resonate with diverse audiences globally.

The Rise of Female Leadership in Animation

Women are increasingly occupying influential positions within major animation studios. Kristine Belson, President of Features & Series at Sony Pictures Animation, and Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, are prominent examples of women at the helm of significant industry players.

Naito emphasizes that women contribute “fresh perspectives, a collaborative approach, and a focus on inclusion,” which strengthens company culture and helps unify teams. She highlights the importance of not only bringing women into the industry but also building clear career paths and providing mentorship to help them grow into leadership roles.

Evidence of this growing influence is also seen in recent Oscar-contending animated features. Films such as “KPop Demon Hunters” (co-directed by Maggie Kang), “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” (Maïlys Vallade), and “Elio” (Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi) have had women in co-director positions.

Beyond the directorial chair, women are making their mark in various creative capacities. Mindy Johnson, a CalArts professor and author of “Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation,” points out that women have always been vital contributors to animation, often uncredited. Her work highlights that many trailblazing women have been present since the medium’s inception, and it is only now that their stories are being fully recognized.

Persistent Disparities: The Unfinished Fight for Equality

Despite the advancements, the animation industry still faces a significant gender gap, particularly in directorial roles. Kristine Belson acknowledges the progress but notes it’s “not happening fast enough.” She states, “There’s still a very big discrepancy between how many female directors are working today versus male directors in animation. And until that shift happens, and there are as many women directors as male directors, well, the job’s not done.”

Statistics reinforce this concern: while women constitute over 60% of animation and art school students in the United States and Europe, only about 20% secure creative jobs in the industry. Furthermore, only 10% of animation directors and producers are women, and women of color make up a mere 3% of all animation directors. These figures underscore that the pipeline of talent is strong, but conversion into leadership and creative decision-making roles remains a significant hurdle.

The long production cycle of animated films, typically spanning four to seven years, means that changes initiated today will take several years to become fully apparent on screen. As Maggie Kang, co-director of “KPop Demon Hunters,” notes, while there is a desire to promote women, what is still lacking is “the right training and mentorship.”

Advocacy, Mentorship, and Industry Initiatives

Organizations like Women in Animation (WIA) are at the forefront of advocating for gender equality and empowering underrepresented gender identities in the animation, VFX, and gaming industries. WIA’s initiatives include leadership development programs, mentorship circles, and a talent database for studios to utilize for more diverse hiring.

WIA’s “Stories x Women” program, for instance, provides mentoring and coaching to women and nonbinary animators from emerging markets, preparing them to pitch their projects at international festivals like Annecy. These programs aim to build clear career paths and provide the necessary support for women to advance into leadership roles.

Margie Cohn, President of DreamWorks Animation, suggests that the historical “pigeonholing” of animation as “kids’ programming” might have made it seem like a “safe place for women to be,” inadvertently opening doors, only for women to then “surprise them with how large our skill set is.”

Impact on Storytelling and Industry Perception

The increased presence of women in leadership roles is not just about equitable representation; it also profoundly influences the stories told and how they are perceived. Holly Edwards, President of Skydance Animation, highlights that environments “thrive when they include people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences,” which “makes a huge difference for the better for the stories we’re telling.”

Maggie Kang deliberately designed the female superhero characters in “KPop Demon Hunters” to be “real and relatable and not afraid to look silly,” challenging conventional portrayals of women in action. This reflects a desire among female creators to tell authentic and diverse stories that resonate with a broader audience.

As the industry evolves, there’s a growing recognition that animation, far from being a niche genre, is a powerful medium for deeply engaging and moving stories for all ages. Leaders like Kristine Belson advocate for animation to “keep evolving and get the respect that it deserves” for its “incredible creative achievements.”

Conclusion

The animation industry has undoubtedly made strides toward gender equality, with women increasingly occupying executive and creative leadership positions. This positive shift is enriching storytelling, fostering more inclusive cultures, and challenging long-held perceptions about the medium. However, the journey is far from over. Persistent disparities in key creative roles, particularly directing, highlight the need for sustained advocacy, mentorship, and intentional career development programs. The ongoing commitment from industry leaders and organizations like Women in Animation will be crucial in building a future where talent, not gender, is the sole determinant of who leads the next generation of animated features.