From a media release:
Spindle Films Foundation today announced the results of their inaugural research report, highlighting the current state of the trans, non-binary, and gender diverse experiences in the Canadian film industry. Rooted in an annual mentorship program supporting emerging filmmakers, the Foundation is working to make the film and television industry more equitable and diverse by giving voice to underrepresented voices. The full report is available at spindlefilms.ca/research.
With recent data showing a decline in the representation of and support for the queer and gender diverse community in Canada, as well as legislation rolling out across the country targeting their rights under the guise of protecting parental rights, Spindle Films Foundation is gravely concerned that the safety, support, and celebration of trans and non-binary folks in the Canadian film industry are more at risk now than they were even a year ago.
The report found that 63% of respondents have taken actions to delay or conceal their gender identity due to the risk of adverse experiences at work in the film industry. Supporting this, 53% of respondents reported having adverse experiences during their last on-set experience. Of those with adverse experiences, 53% indicated that those adverse experiences happened every day they were on set and 78% rated those experiences as a 5 or higher on a 10-point distress scale.
Conducted from mid-2023 through to 2024, the research survey was developed by Javelin Laurence, Director of Research, Education, and Accessibility at Spindle Films Foundation, with input from the founding members of the Foundation, and support from Skipping Stone in Calgary, Alta. Having surveyed members of the transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse community working in the Canadian film industry, the report shows a need and desire for more inclusion, openness, collaboration, and acceptance for not just the gender-diverse community but for all types of diversity in Canada.
“While efforts have been made by some to make sets a safer environment, these results make it clear that it’s not enough. We need systematic and sweeping change so that everyone can feel valued and safe at work,” said J Stevens, Founder, Spindle Films Foundation. “The Foundation is actively working with decision-makers in the industry to shift mandates and protocols and we will continue to support and uplift the filmmakers whose voices are so needed in the Canadian film and TV industry through our annual mentorship programs.”
From the writer’s room through to the editing suite, gender diverse filmmakers are navigating an industry that claims to be diversifying but is in fact demonstrating that it is not a priority, with 42% of respondents indicating that they feel they had lost a job opportunity due to their gender identity, either implicitly or explicitly.
Safety, inclusivity, and community were all themes determining whether gender diverse filmmakers felt comfortable taking a job, with 28% of respondents indicating that working with other gender diverse filmmakers was a protective factor on their last set. When asked about what they specifically needed to feel supported, respondents highlighted representation in decision-making positions, translating into more opportunities across departments for trans and gender diverse humans, and mandated education for all members of production.
Based on the survey findings, Spindle Films Foundation is recommending the following best practices: quality health insurance covering gender-affirming care in Canadian film unions, gender equity in hiring that acknowledges identities outside the binary, a pronoun policy for all cast and crew on call sheets, gender diversity education for all production members, paperwork care when dealing with chosen vs. legal names, gender neutral bathrooms, and a policy for addressing harm.
While there is still work to be done, Spindle Films Foundation is uniquely positioned and committed to pushing change forward through their programming and research initiatives. Following a successful and inspiring first year that resulted in nine emerging filmmakers receiving mentorship and education from industry leaders such as Bilal Baig, Luis De Filippis, Tácháy Redvers, and Sasha Leigh Henry, the Foundation has also established supportive partnerships with organizations such as the Directors Guild of Canada and Skipping Stone, allowing them to better serve the community of gender-diverse filmmakers that they are committed to uplifting.
For more information and updates on upcoming programming, visit spindlefilms.ca/about-foundation and follow @spindlefilmsfoundation.
About Spindle Films Foundation
Founded in 2023, Spindle Films Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports transgender, non-binary, two-spirit and gender-diverse Canadian filmmakers. The organization works to make the TV and film industry more equitable and diverse by dismantling systemic barriers, and supports emerging filmmakers through an annual mentorship program.
