Shining the spotlight on inclusion: Adobe Foundation and USC Annenberg unveil first-of-its-kind study at the Cannes Film Festival
The more facts we know, the more we can spotlight, learn and create change. That is a driving motivation behind the first-of-its-kind The Inclusion List, a new study developed by Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative in collaboration with the Adobe Foundation. The groundbreaking report looks at the 100 most inclusive theatrically-released films of the last four years, as well as the studios, distributors, and producers creating quantitative change in Hollywood. A data-driven approach is what’s needed to analyze and pinpoint the bright spots, and where a greater focus on inclusivity is needed.
We’re releasing our study in parallel to the Festival de Cannes, the iconic celebration of films and filmmakers driving the art form forward. We hope that our findings can fuel conversations and plans of action that seek to ensure the film industry is as inclusive as the world it reflects.
At Adobe, we believe that when more diverse stories are told, the world becomes a more equal and vibrant place. The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative illuminate our commitment toward supporting and elevating underrepresented voices to share their stories.
To bring together the list, 376 theatrically-released films were scored across 20 inclusion indicators, with the highest-scoring films receiving top honors. The indicators ranked gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability, and age representation for cast in leading and all speaking roles. Now, let’s dive into a few interesting findings of The Inclusion List:
- The 100 most inclusive films made between 2019-2022 include Oscar winners and crowd pleasers, proving that inclusive storytelling resonates in major ways, including Everything Everywhere All at Once, Devotion, Emily the Criminal, Birds of Prey, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
- Seven of the top 10 films on the Inclusion List were directed by women of color, including Gina Prince-Bythewood and Lulu Wang.
- Among large distributors, Universal Pictures took top honors with 24 films on the list, followed by Sony Pictures Entertainment (14 films) and Warner Bros. Pictures (11 films). For independent distributors, A24 led its peers with 9 movies, with Neon in second place (6 films). The top distributors reflect the companies responsible for bringing the films on The Inclusion List to audiences.
- A total of eight producers received a nod for their work in film over the past four years. Will Packer, James Lopez, Kevin Feige, Dede Garner, Jeremy Kleiner, Jordan Peele, Ian Cooper and Jason Blum were named the most inclusive producers for landing 3 or more films on The Inclusion List.
Take a look at the full report and methodology at theinclusionlist.org.
While we need to ensure that the biggest films, studios, and players in the industry are fore fronting inclusivity on studio lots and behind the camera, Adobe also recognizes how important it is to democratize filmmaking for emerging and independent creatives. That’s why our Diverse Voices initiative is focused on giving greater access, inspiration, resources and support toward underrepresented communities so that they have greater opportunities in the film industry and their stories and voices are seen and heard.
Today’s news continues the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, that launched around another major moment in film, the 2023 Academy Awards. Ahead of the ceremony, we released a study mapping inclusion across the entire history of the Oscars. Additionally, The Adobe Foundation was proud to give a grant of $250k to the USC School of Dramatic Arts’ (SDA) MFA Acting Program.
The Adobe Foundation is proud to work with industry leaders such as USC Annenberg and Dr. Stacy L. Smith, who have spent years laying the groundwork for change in our industry. It is our desire that The Inclusion List brings us one step closer to a more inclusive future.