Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava spotlights gender disparities in film industry at IIFTC; calls for equality in budget allocation for female-centric films

Prominent filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava has drawn attention to the persisting gender disparities in the film industry while speaking at 10th edition of the India International Foreign Tourism Conclave (IIFTC). She highlighted prevailing bias against female-centric films in the industry.

Shrivastava is known for her work such as “Lipstick Under My Burkha”, “Made in Heaven”, and “Bombay Begums”. The films underscored the unequal budget allocations between male and female actors in the industry, calling for much-needed change and equality within the world of cinema.

During a panel discussion titled “Breaking the Glass Ceiling”, Shrivastava spoke over concerns about the industry’s perception that women-led films face greater challenges in achieving success compared to male-led productions. She noted that this mindset poses significant obstacles for women filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals.

The 44-years-old director also highlighted that male actors in leading roles often secure larger budgets than their female counterparts, raising questions about fairness and opportunities for female talent in the industry.

The discussion featured insights from other prominent directors such as Leena Yadav, Nupur Asthana, Film Commissioner Zuzana Bielikova of the Slovak Film Commission, and Bushra Mahdi, Founder of Red Films. The filmmakers offered practical suggestions and actionable insights based on their experiences.

This conversation took place during the first day of a 3-day film tourism event, which attracted over 50 international companies from more than 20 countries to Bollywood in Mumbai. The event featured participation from countries like Azerbaijan, South Africa, the USA, Spain, Lithuania, Kenya, Canada, France, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Serbia, the UK, Australia, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Ukraine, among others, all seeking to engage with Indian filmmakers.

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