Lonely woman director in Venice sees industry backsliding on gender
Yahoo News
Last updated: September 7, 2026
Danish director May el-Toukhy was one of only two female filmmakers in the 20-strong competition at the Venice Film Festival with her movie "The Bold." This highlights a concerning trend of underrepresentation of women in film, despite some progress. The festival itself, while celebrating cinema, also exposed the persistent gender imbalance within the industry.
- Key Facts: May el-Toukhy's film, "The Bold," was selected for the main competition at the Venice Film Festival, placing her among a predominantly male group of directors.
- Out of 20 films in the competition, only two were directed by women, a statistic that indicates a lack of progress in gender diversity.
- El-Toukhy observed a lack of female representation not just among directors but also within the broader industry, including screenwriters and producers.
- She noted that while there have been discussions and efforts towards increasing female presence, the reality in major film festivals suggests a significant backslide.
- The director expressed concern that the industry might be regressing rather than advancing in terms of gender equality, despite years of advocacy.
- Her experience at Venice served as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in the film industry, even at prestigious international events.
- The underrepresentation extends beyond directing to other key creative and production roles, signaling a systemic issue.
