The future is more inclusive for Finnish film

The issue of gender equality and inclusivity has taken centre stage in the film industry in recent years, prompting a critical examination of its historical practices and the need for change.

Indeed, at Cannes 2023, director Justine Triet's win brought the total percentage of female Palme d'Or winners to a mere three per cent. Similarly, the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival has been awarded to women in only eight per cent of cases.

The disparity in gender representation, both in terms of film awards and key roles behind the camera, is a stark reality that calls for action.

In the modern film landscape, inclusivity is no longer a mere buzzword; it's an essential aspect of storytelling. Audiences yearn for narratives that reflect the diverse spectrum of human experiences, transcending traditional Hollywood paradigms. Inclusivity in cinema is about more than just token representation; it's about crafting authentic stories that resonate with a global audience.

Enter artificial intelligence (AI), a powerful tool that has the potential to amplify the efforts of film-makers in promoting inclusivity. AI can facilitate diverse casting choices, analyse scripts for inclusivity, provide translation and accessibility features, assist in content generation and offer valuable insights into audience preferences, as well as generate entire audio-visual worlds of the stories. However, as we embrace this technological innovation, we must exercise caution to ensure AI remains a creative augmenter, not a content generator overriding human creativity and authenticity.

As a quite egalitarian Nordic country, Finland has a film industry with a gender gap that is not as dramatic in percentage terms as in other parts of the world, but there is still a lot to be done to achieve gender parity in all roles across the domestic film industry. The statistics underscore the need for systemic change and highlight the invaluable role of women's organisations, such as Women in Film and Television (WIFT Finland), a local chapter of the WIFTI, in advocating for gender equality and inclusivity for all.

A case in point is WIFT Finland’s pioneering equality tool for the audio-visual and film industry. Supported by the Finnish Film Foundation and in collaboration with key industry stakeholders like Finland’s national public broadcasting company YLE, this tool aims to provide practical guidance for promoting equality and inclusivity in film productions.

The equality tool allows teams to create project-specific equality and inclusivity plans in pre-production that align with legislative requirements mandating all employers to promote equality. The tool also enhances resilience, risk awareness and overall sustainability goals in production planning.

The opportunity that the fusion of AI technology and art presents is unprecedented for production companies to tell richer, more diverse stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. The development of the equality tool and the commitment to legal responsibilities provide a roadmap for a more inclusive and equitable future.

By addressing historical imbalances and fostering transparency, the industry can work towards ensuring that all voices are heard and represented on the silver screen, making Finnish cinema even more internationally renowned for its diverse and powerful storytelling.