Gender disparities in film and television directing are striking, and despite a number of reports and headlines about the issue in recent years, not much has changed.

Over the last year, the ACLU has heard directly from 50 women in the directing industry. Their stories mirror the dismal numbers reported, but more importantly give voice to the discrimination they endure.

For these directors and the many out there like them, the ACLU Women's Rights Project and the ACLU of Southern California have a campaign demanding that our government launch an investigation into the systemic failure to hire women directors at all levels of the film and TV industry in violation of state and federal civil rights laws.

The failure to hire women directors and give them a fair opportunity to succeed in the field is a civil rights issue that our state and federal civil rights agencies should use their time and resources to remedy.

Letters to DFEH, EEOC and OFCCP

Download the letters sent to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

Press Release

ACLU asks state and federal civil rights agencies to investigate gender discrimination in Hollywood.

Tell us your story Tell us your story