Methodology

In this project, we use the term BIWOC —  Black, Indigenous, and Women of Colour — because most of the research participants identified as women; only two participants identified as non-binary, one of whom is gender fluid and also identifies as a woman. We acknowledge that BIWOC does not adequately represent all the participants, nor properly include non-binary and gender-queer people.

When we started this project, our primary goal was to identify barriers and opportunities for BIWOC in the local film and television industry. To understand the lay of the land, we began by surveying the available data about gender and race in the film industry from American and Canadian sources. 

This research is based on the understanding that BIWOC are the experts of their own experiences. Whether they are emerging, mid-career or established artists, filmmakers, and/or crew, they can speak knowledgeably about experiences of sexism and racism, and have made meaning from those experiences. 

The project’s research associate, Tanvi Bhatia, designed the research process with the oversight of The Future is you and me’s co-founders, Kristin Cheung and Megan Lau, and Cinework’s former Executive Director, April Thompson. We were also supported by Cinework’s Community & Education Liaison, Michelle Martin.  

To our personal and professional networks, we sent out a call-out for participants from Metro Vancouver via email and social media. We welcomed women and non-binary people of different ages, professional experiences, ethnicities and races, educational backgrounds, immigration status, and mother tongues. 

Our original aim was to listen to the experiences of 50 participants in facilitated focus groups or one-on-one interviews:

• 10 youth (under 25 years old)

• 10 emerging screen professionals, such as actors, directors, editors, producers, writers, and crew above and below the line

• 10 established screen professionals, such as actors, directors, editors, producers, writers, and crew above and below the line

• 10 industry professionals, such as curators, general managers, executive directors, festival programmers

• 10 gatekeepers, such as board members, policy makers, funding agency)

Twenty-six BIWOC responded with interest and they were invited to one of three focus groups at Cineworks, which took place in February and March 2020. Most participants were either emerging or established filmmakers. Six participants identified as either an “industry professional” or “gatekeeper.”¹ The focus groups served as a research method, but also a form of consciousness raising and community building for women of colour in the industry. 

Interviews with three filmmakers, established and emerging, were conducted virtually over Zoom in April 2020.

Through the focus groups and interviews, we hoped to capture a broad spectrum of experiences and identify trends. We encouraged participants to speak freely, as all identifying information would be removed in the final report. All participants were paid an honorarium for their time and contributions. 

This project is not an academic research endeavour in the tradition of the social sciences, nor a statistical analysis like Women In View’s On Screen Reports. We designed this to be a humanistic, community-first process. Emotional safety, community, connection, and sharing were paramount. For instance, trained facilitators hosted the focus groups and community agreements were established before the discussions began. The Research Lead did not act as a neutral party, but was in dialogue with the interviewees and focus group participants, sharing her own experiences as well. 

Though we ultimately could have given more time to the focus group sessions, the data that was gathered is rich and nuanced. It represents women and non-binary people of various ages, professional backgrounds, races, and ethnicities. However, a few groups were significantly underrepresented: technical professionals (e.g. music and sound, lighting, camera operators, cinematographers, editors), administrators such as funders, festival staff, and network executives; and gender-queer and non-binary people. 

Notes were taken at the focus group by Robyn Lee, and the interviews were transcribed. Tanvi, Kristin, and Megan later identified themes from the discussions, which are unpacked in the Research Findings section below. This report was shared with all the research participants in October 2021 and they were able to suggest edits, ask questions, and make clarifications before publication.