#anna serner

[californiastreaming]

“I decided very early that I should stop talking and act, because then we can talk about my actions.” Serner took six months to research the most commonly-held beliefs for why women do not succeed in the film industry and then made an action plan targeting every single dispute.

When Anna Serner became CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, she made gender parity a top priority. This Broadly article outlining Serner’s practical steps reads like a prescription for women’s cycling, and a retort to people who say the market isn’t ready for women to have equal prize money, their own Tour de France, etc.

[fuckyeahwomenfilmdirectors]

Meet the CEO who made gender parity in film funding a reality for the Swedish Film Institute  

When she took over as CEO of the Swedish Film Institute in late 2011, Anna Serner set the film world on fire by announcing that Sweden would seek to have equal gender funding in all productions – the first country in the world to do so. They hoped to achieve that by the end of 2015.

How was that progressing, I asked, expecting the word "slow".

"We already made it. Last year," she said. "It took two and a half years."

After I picked up my jaw, she continued: "When I took over, we had 26 per cent of funding going to female directors. I said that was a catastrophe. I used that word. I wanted the business to realise that there was a new sheriff in town. They are not stupid. They realise I am the head of the funding body, so maybe things are going to happen."

[fuckyeahfeministcinema]

When I took over, we had 26 per cent of funding going to female directors. I said that was a catastrophe. I used that word. I wanted the business to realise that there was a new sheriff in town. They are not stupid. They realise I am the head of the funding body, so maybe things are going to happen. I said in my opinion 40-60 is rubbish. It should be 50-50 over time...Talking makes no difference. You have to act. Whatever you do, they will criticise, but you just have to live with that.

Anna Serner, CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, on reaching 50:50 funding for female and ,male filmmakers in 2 1/2 years.

[fuckyeahfeministcinema]

An interview with Anna Serner, including a discussion of Sweden’s A-rating initiative. Serner says, “I think it’s a great way to maintain awareness and keep the conversation around the issue going. Of course it’s not a perfect tool. All the buzz around it certainly shows that the topic is hot hot hot!”