The Adobe Foundation and USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative release new Inclusion List shining the spotlight on diverse storytelling

From the stories we see on screen to the creators behind those stories, the entertainment industry has an incredible power to shape culture and to act as a catalyst for change. To truly reflect the diverse world that we live in, those stories must be imagined, created, shared and told by all voices. Having more insight and a greater understanding into inclusivity across film and television helps us all learn and drive progress towards greater representation.

As the industry prepares for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and Oscars, we're proud to be bringing back The Inclusion List - the data-driven study developed by Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative in collaboration with the Adobe Foundation. The Inclusion List offers an invaluable roadmap of where the industry is making strides and where there is still more work to be done.

To bring together the list, the research team led by Dr. Smith ranked the top films, distributors, directors and editors on a point system that accounts for inclusion among cast – both leading and all speaking characters – and crew across five indicators (gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability and age). The point allocations ensure that the list is based on quantitative metrics of inclusion. The films, companies and people who scored the highest are at the top of the list.

Here are some of the key findings from this year’s list:

• Five directors, out of more than 400 evaluated, were named the Most Inclusive Directors in this second year of The Inclusion List. Catherine Hardwicke, Olivia Wilde, Destin Daniel Cretton, Reinaldo Marcus Green and Kasi Lemmons worked with the highest percentage of women and people of color as department/unit heads across the films assessed.
• A total of eight editors were recognized for their work in film over the past 5 years. Annette Davey, Anne McCabe, Blair McClendon, Catrin Hedström, Hilda Rasula, Harry Yoon, Mary Jo Markey and Terilyn A. Shropshire were named the most inclusive editors for having two or more films on the Inclusion List.
• The top distributors reflect the companies responsible for bringing the films on The Inclusion List to audiences. They were ranked by the number of films appearing on the list itself. Among large distributors, Universal Pictures took top honors with 29 films on the list, followed by Sony Pictures Entertainment (21 films) and Warner Bros. Pictures (18 films). For smaller distributors, A24 led among its peers with 14 movies, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) landing in second place (10 films) and Bleecker Street Media in third (9 films).

Take a look at the full report and methodology at theinclusionlist.org.

Creating Impact Towards a More Inclusive Industry

Our continued collaboration with USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to democratizing filmmaking, supporting emerging creatives and elevating underrepresented voices. The Adobe Foundation announced a $250k grant to support the USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) MFA program in 2023, directly supporting the production of short films by underrepresented students. These students have gone on to submit their films post-graduation, with some participating in creator fellowships and engagements at Telluride Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.

Beyond research and data, our work is rooted in tangible support for underrepresented and emerging creators. For over a decade, Adobe has proudly collaborated with the Sundance Institute through the Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship, a year-round program that nurtures and empowers filmmakers ages 18 to 25. Through this partnership, we’ve helped over 160 Fellows access mentorship, funding and resources to help bring their stories to life.

We’ve also championed Women at Sundance, a year-round program designed to provide ongoing support to women filmmakers, helping them hone their craft and create bold, new work that challenges the status quo in film and media.

Our hope is that the findings of the latest Inclusion List continue to fuel conversations and plans of actions that seek to ensure the film industry is as inclusive as the world it reflects.

The findings from the latest Inclusion List will be highlighted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival during a panel at the Adobe House - Expanding Perspectives: The Power of Diverse Storytelling. Hosted by Adobe, the panel will delve into strategies for advancing diverse storytelling both on-screen and behind the scenes. Featured panelists include USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative founder Stacy L. Smith and filmmaker Tracy Oliver—whose work is recognized on this year’s list—and other industry leaders driving the democratization of storytelling.