Ten Women Filmmakers Chosen For Studio Directing Initiative With Paul Feig

EXCLUSIVE: Ten U.S. filmmakers have been selected for a new program designed to help bridge the gap for women directors between the independent and studio systems. Scroll down for the 2026 cohort. The mentorship program comes at a time when the Hollywood gender gap remains a problem. Representation for women in the director’s chair dipped […] Studio Ready Initiative Studio Ready Initiative EXCLUSIVE: Ten U.S. filmmakers have been selected for a new program designed to help bridge the gap for women directors between the independent and studio systems. Scroll down for the 2026 cohort. The mentorship program comes at a time when the Hollywood gender gap remains a problem. Representation for women in the director’s chair dipped to a seven-year low in 2025, according to a recent USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study. The number of girls and women leading the top movies of 2025 also hit a seven-year low. Backed by camera and video tech company Black Magic Design, the 10-month accelerator called The Studio Ready Initiative sees directors and producers with known film and TV credits mentored by studio executives, show-runners and hiring heads, focusing on the “nuances of big-budget logistics, legalities, and creative management”. Related Stories News Paul Feig Joins Anti-AI Theft Campaign, As Organizer Warns Of Big Tech's Risk To Creativity