Time’s Up scores victory as Universal steps in with pledge

In a bid to increase the number of female directors being hired for studio movies, Time’s Up along with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative launched it’s 4% challenge which aims to increase the number of opportunities available to women in the film business.

What is the 4% challenge?

The 4% challenge is supporting female directors from diverse backgrounds and is encouraging the film industry to provide more opportunities for women to play a bigger role in productions including studio movies. According to recent research, only 4% of women directed the top 100 grossing films of 2018 at the box office.

The challenge encourages studios and production companies of all sizes to announce their commitment to working with a female director over the next 18 months.

Announcing their support of the challenge this week, Universal Pictures stated that they would proudly “join their colleagues throughout the industry in accepting the Times Up 4% challenge.”

Who is supporting the 4% challenge?

Among the supporters that have publicly endorsed the challenge are Paul Feig, Jordan Peele, Brie Larson, Reese Witherspoon, Shonda Rhimes, Jennifer Lopez, Kyra Sedgwick, Colman Domingo, Joe Pokaski, Olivia Wilde and Susan Sarandon.

How people can get involved

Filmmakers and production companies can show their support for the 4% challenge by making their announcement on Twitter using the #4percentchallenge hashtag.

Do you support the Time’s Up 4% challenge? Share your opinion with us on Twitter: @filminetwork