The State of the Philadelphia Film Industry

 If you’re available, please join us at this important hearing in support of Councilman Oh’s initiative on the STATE OF THE PHILADELPHIA FILM INDUSTRY (see Resolution 17025800 below) from 1-5pm today (Friday, May 12th) at City Council Chambers, City Hall, Room 400. If you can’t be there in person, tune in via channel 64 http://vp.telvue.com/player?height=300&id=T01340&noplaylistskin=1&video=40960&width=400&autostart=true <http://vp.telvue.com/player?height=300&id=T01340&noplaylistskin=1&video=40960&width=400&autostart=true>

PWIFT’s President, Suzanne Landau, will testify sometime after 2:30/3pm with the following:

“Good Afternoon, Chairperson David Oh, and members of the Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy committee.

My name is Suzanne Landau and I am the President of the Board of Philadelphia Women in Film and Television (PWIFT). I am here to express support for Film Resolution 17025800. Thank you Councilman Oh for advancing this initiative to bring more films to Philadelphia.

PWIFT is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to recognizing, celebrating and advancing the professional development and achievement of women working in all areas of film, television, video, multimedia and related disciplines. PWIFT is committed to creating economic and social stimulus for its members and the community at large by helping emerging artists and established professional members reach their full potential, and by attracting new jobs, investment and production to the creative economy in the Philadelphia area.  

Our community of women media makers is very diverse and is comprised of independent filmmakers in both scripted and documentary, professionals in television, digital arts, film and radio, women in advertising along with technical freelancers, writers and visual artists. Our community embodies both women new to the industry and seasoned professionals. Inclusivity and diversity are paramount for us especially since Philadelphia has such a rich and varied population.

This resolution is spot on. We need more films to come to Philadelphia, but we cannot discuss that without also talking about the lack of diversity in the film industry.

Research shows that women, who are more than half of the population, write only a third of the stories and we direct only 17% of what we see on film and in television. Media tells us our roles in society –who we are and what we can be. The women engaged in PWIFT’s community are concerned that most of our entertainment is directed by white men and most of the stories are told through the eyes of men.

In the past few years, initiatives outside of Philadelphia commenced in an attempt to decrease the gender gap for women in the film industry. In fact, last year, the ACLU launched an investigation into discrimination against female directors in Hollywood. Geena Davis initiated the Gender Institute that studies women’s roles in the media. Patricia Arquette pleaded for equal pay for women at the Oscars. Meryl Streep followed up by funding a writing lab for Hollywood’s untouchable caste, women screenwriters over 40.  And recently, Filmmaker Alma Har’el launched a new, historic initiative to #FreeTheBid for female commercial directors to be included in every agency bid. In 2010, The Academy Award for Best Director went to Kathryn Bigelow for the “Hurt Locker,” making her the first woman to ever win that category. Six years later she is still the only one who has won and no other woman has been nominated since.

The first step in changing this picture is to recognize there is a problem. That’s where we come in. PWIFT brings women in the industry together to learn, bond and succeed. We are more powerful together and stronger when we can rally together locally and be part of a strong global community. Recently, PWIFT became a member of Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI), which addresses arts, business and cultural media around the world.

Women are an underserved community in the media industry, especially in Philadelphia. Only 6% of the films produced here in the Philadelphia area are made by women. Statistics like these discourage women from entering the entertainment business. PWIFT, along with our male allies in the profession, is working to improve parity in the industry, to take part in the conversation, to help raise the profile of women in film, and to encourage women to stay in the industry. Most importantly, PWIFT seeks to improve opportunities in film for women in Philadelphia so they stay here and create film here.

PWIFT is currently in discussion with three local universities to help launch an incubator that will encourage filmmakers to stay in Philadelphia to hone their craft. We hope this project will contribute more opportunity for women, women of color, LGBTQ people and make Philadelphia a place female filmmakers grow their art and business.

It matters what stories are told and it matters who makes them. PWIFT was formed to help cultivate the talent of female media makers here in Philadelphia and PWIFT will help put Philadelphia on the map as a place where women in film and all areas of media will be championed.

We hope we can work together to advance gender equity in the film industry.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify on this issue. I am happy to answer any questions.”

For Reference, here is RESOLUTION NO. 170258:

Authorizing Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on the state of the Philadelphia Film Industry.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has been the setting of many acclaimed movies and television shows. The City’s neighborhoods and skyline provide an iconic backdrop to hundreds of such productions; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia offers prime locations for filming, from historic buildings to beautiful parks to bustling college campuses; and

WHEREAS, Several incentives are available to filmmakers looking to bring their productions to Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit Program, a hotel tax exemption, police assistance, and fee-free locations are all offered in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Attracting film production to Philadelphia and encouraging independent filmmaking directly benefits to the City. Production crews use local hotels, restaurants, other businesses, and labor; and

WHEREAS, While movies and television shows are still filmed in Philadelphia, the frequency with which large-budget film productions have chosen to locate in the City has greatly declined. Meanwhile, cities such as Pittsburgh have seen significant increases in the number of films made within their limits; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has a sizable number of schools that produce talented filmmakers and young professionals whose creative talents Philadelphia should be competitively seeking to retain upon their graduation. Losing these creative individuals to other cities as they search for opportunities in the film industry hampers Philadelphia’s long-term competitiveness in many creative industries; and

Authorizing Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on the state of the Philadelphia Film Industry.

WHEREAS, The film industry offers opportunities for diverse people of all backgrounds to contribute towards making movies and television shows. Philadelphians should be able to work on film projects of all genres and budgets in their own City; and

WHEREAS, Film production is important to Philadelphia’s national reputation and the local economy. The more movies and television shows choose to shoot in Philadelphia, the more of a hub of the creative economy the City becomes; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on the state of the Philadelphia film industry.