Films directed by women are the rule, not the exception, at CASCADIA film fest in Bellingham

If you went to the movies last year, flipped through a magazine, or scrolled through your Instagram - you probably became very familiar with one plastic icon in particular.

"Barbie" did more than rake in a whole lotta cash — and inspire people to put a pop of pink in their wardrobe — it also shone a spotlight behind the camera, on writer-director Greta Gerwig.

But Gerwig’s wild success is so far the exception in Hollywood, not the rule. Women remain dramatically underrepresented as film directors.

According to “The Celluloid Ceiling” an annual study on employment of women behind the scenes in the movie industry, only 17% of the top 250 grossing films in 2023 were directed by women, and only 6% featured the work of female cinematographers.

A film fest in Bellingham is dedicated to highlighting distinct and diverse works from women filmmakers from around the world.

It’s called The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival and it kicked off Thursday, April 25.

Soundside guest host Diana Opong caught up with CASCADIA featured directors Jessica Plumb (Call of the Orcas), Maria Valdez (VIDA) and Catherine Hardwicke (Miss You Already, Twilight, Thirteen) to discuss their experiences as filmmakers, and to explore what can be done to expand representation behind the camera.