As we approach the end of each year, we like to look back and reflect on the incredible strides we’ve made together as well as the work that still lies ahead. Alliance of Women Directors exists because of your passion, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to a more inclusive and equitable film industry.
In 2024 at AWD, we’ve been proud to advocate for our members’ stories, talents, and ambitions. This year we hosted over 50 workshops, panels, and networking events that brought together emerging and established voices in the entertainment industry. Thanks to your support, we screened 20 member films for live feedback, partnered with 24 film festivals and community organizations, and welcomed dozens of industry speakers and mentors through our Black Directors Advancement Initiative, #MentorLatinaDirectors Fellowship, and Rising Director Fellowship Programs.
Despite our best efforts, however, the outlook for women and nonbinary directors continues to be bleak. Though great gains have been made on the episodic side of the industry, with 38% of streaming directors identifying as women, feature films continue to be male-dominated, with just 16% of DGA features from 2018-2022 directed by women. And the numbers are even more abysmal for marginalized groups such as women of color, LGBTQIA+, and directors over 50. DEI budgets across the industry are increasingly slashed, with the programs now coming under threat of closure.
As we look to 2025, now more than ever, it is imperative to keep AWD at the forefront of the mission to bring underrepresented voices to the director’s chair.
This is going to be a hard year in entertainment as well as the outside world. Within the AWD community, we will seek community, find solidarity, and work together to access resources and opportunities. However, to do this, and to deepen our impact in the industry, AWD needs our first full-time Executive Director—someone dedicated to advancing our mission every single day. This role will ensure AWD’s long-term sustainability, oversee critical programs, and build partnerships that expand our reach.
To make this vision a reality, we need your help. Fundraising for this position is a top priority, and every contribution, large or small, will bring us closer to hiring the leader AWD needs. Whether it’s through donating directly to AWD, connecting us to sponsors, or offering an item or experience to our 2025 kickoff auction, your support is vital.
Together, we can ensure that AWD not only survives but thrives as the catalyst for change in our industry.
The progress we’ve made thus far is thanks to your passion for our mission, and I am endlessly grateful to be on this journey with all of you. Let’s build an even brighter future together.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Warren
Founder + Chair
Alliance of Women Directors
