GenXX Initiative: Taking Positive Action for the Generation Lost between Sexism and Ageism
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Glendale International Film Festival held a mixer and panel teasing a new directing initiative for GenX women founded by Maria Burton, Monique Sorgen, Nandi Bowe, and Susan Dynner. The new initiative’s mission is to expand opportunities for the generation of women directors who got lost between sexism and ageism. The panel was on the topic of: “GenXX: Taking Positive Action in your Directing Career.”
 

The four women panelists have directed numerous projects, won countless awards, and participated in programs including ABC/Disney, CBS, SONY, Ryan Murphy’s HALF, ProjectHER, Sundance, Black Magic Collective, DGA’s DDI, Film Independent, and have premiered and/or won festivals including Sundance, SXSW, and Cannes, to name a few.
 

GenX women came up in a Hollywood climate of open, unabashed discrimination. And now, despite their many accomplishments, most of these women are still being overlooked due to ageism. GenXX’s mission is to normalize women of all ages and races directing.
 

Some key takeaways that were shared with the packed house were:
 

— In the face of racism, sexism, and ageism, the only thing we control is our positive attitude about what we can accomplish and who we choose to be in the world.
 

— The data shows that despite the recent perception of change, women of all races are still gravely underrepresented at the studio level in television and even more so in film.
 

— It is important to combat unconscious bias by enlightening people who aren’t yet aware of the realities, as proven by the statistics the panelists shared. (For specific data, please visit the GenXX website and download the deck.)
 

— The intersection of sexism and ageism has not yet adequately been addressed by diversity initiatives, because there is a perception that once creatives reach a certain age they should have already found success. But for GenX women, who came up in an unabashedly sexist climate (controlled by Harvey Weinstein), they never actually had studio opportunities when they were younger, despite persistence and repeatedly creating quality independent work.
 

— The panelists agreed that the goal is to have all types of stories told by people with varying points of views, so that all people and all gazes are represented in the influential work that Hollywood puts out. This is especially important because Hollywood stories both reflect and create our culture.
 

— Change can happen quickly if people are aware and motivated, as we saw with Ava DuVernay’s and Oprah’s decision to hire exclusively women directors on “Queen Sugar,” most of whom have gone on to have prolific careers.
 

— When it comes to giving GenX women directors career-changing opportunities, some people are concerned they don’t have long enough runway to make them worth investing in. This is a fallacy because many top directors working today (think Scorsese, Spielberg, Eastwood, etc.), are all in their late 70s and 80s, so GenXXers still have 30–40 good years ahead.
 

— Some advice that was given in regards to staying positive in the face of the many rejections all creatives at every level face were:
 

— When you’re feeling down about your career, look at your resume and focus on all that you’ve accomplished.
 

— Some days are hard, so you should feel the sadness, but give yourself a time limit and then move on to your next productive activity toward your career
 

— For Gen X Women, the stats show that you’re not alone, so when you’re asking yourself “What did I do wrong?” the answer is often “Nothing.” So don’t waste time questioning it and just keep moving forward with your work. Enjoy the journey!