Documentaries help us find truths in a complex world, and women have always made great documentaries – just not enough of them.The diversity of storytelling is essential to a thriving, justice driven and independent sector.
Although documentary is more relevant and popular than ever, we discovered that between 2015 and 2018 only 16% of Scotland’s creative feature documentaries were directed by women.
We launched this campaign in 2019 to address this disparity and since then, there has been positive progress. In 2021, 30% of Scotland's documentaries in production were directed by women and in 2024 this number has grown to 48%.
This is positive news! But our work here is not done. We still need to come together as a sector to reach further and ensure that all documentary talent rises and that there is consistent growth.
This campaign continues to be a response to that need and to prioritise underrepresented voices in the field.
As we enter the next phase of the campaign, our aim is also to look to the future and how the actions and advocacy of the campaign can help secure the continuation of a truly equitable sector in Scotland and be mirrored by the UK documentary landscape more broadly.
of Scotland’s feature documentaries are now
directed by women
If you would like to provide training, commission or exhibition opportunities for women filmmakers, or if you would like to fundraise on our behalf, please email us at [email protected]
You can also donate to the campaign. The more we raise, the more quickly things will change.
“We have such a wealth of talent in Scotland. I see it – young women who make the most incredibly relevant, exciting, daring work that shows all over the world. We want to keep that talent in Scotland and make sure it is supported.”
