In a significant recognition of gender parity in Hollywood, three major upcoming films—Wicked, Emilia Pérez, and The Substance—have earned the coveted ReFrame Stamp for their commitment to gender-balanced hiring practices. The honor, awarded by the ReFrame coalition in partnership with IMDbPro, highlights productions that meet strict criteria for employing women and underrepresented genders in key behind-the-scenes roles.
The ReFrame Stamp: A Mark of Industry Progress
Since its launch in 2018, the ReFrame Stamp has become one of the entertainment industry’s most respected benchmarks for inclusive hiring. To qualify, a film or television project must demonstrate gender balance across four key areas:
- Creative Leadership – Director, writer, and producer roles
- Department Heads – Key positions such as cinematographer, editor, and production designer
- Crew Composition – Overall crew gender representation
- Studio/Production Company Leadership – Executive-level decision-makers
Projects that meet these standards are awarded the ReFrame Stamp, signaling their commitment to fostering equitable opportunities in an industry historically dominated by men.
Spotlight on the Honored Films
1. Wicked
Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated two-part adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon has been recognized for its inclusive hiring practices. While the film boasts A-list stars like Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), its ReFrame Stamp highlights the women and non-binary professionals driving its production.
Key contributors include:
- Producer Marc Platt (who championed female-led productions like La La Land)
- Costume Designer Paul Tazewell (working alongside a majority-female wardrobe team)
- Co-Writer Winnie Holzman (adapting her own Broadway book for the screen)
The musical’s themes of female empowerment are mirrored in its real-world production ethos.
2. Emilia Pérez
Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language crime musical, starring Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón, earned its ReFrame Stamp through exceptional female representation in technical roles. Notably:
- Cinematographer Paul Guilhaume collaborated closely with female gaffers and camera operators.
- Editor Juliette Welfling (an Oscar nominee for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) led the post-production team.
- The sound and VFX departments reported near-equal gender splits.
The film’s story—about a cartel leader undergoing gender transition—aligns with its off-screen commitment to inclusivity.
3. The Substance
Coralie Fargeat’s body horror thriller, starring Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore, achieved recognition for its female-dominated creative leadership. Highlights include:
- Director/Writer Fargeat (known for Revenge) overseeing a 60% female crew.
- Production Designer Charlotte de Cadeville crafting the film’s unsettling aesthetic.
- Stunt Coordinator Petra Sprecher orchestrating the film’s brutal physical sequences.
The movie’s feminist themes about bodily autonomy are reinforced by its production practices.
Why Gender Balance Matters Behind the Camera
Research consistently shows that films with women in key creative roles:
- Are more likely to hire female crew members at all levels
- Tell more diverse stories with nuanced female characters
- Often achieve comparable (or better) box office returns
The ReFrame Stamp not only celebrates progress but incentivizes studios to maintain these standards. As Emilia Pérez producer Thomas Benski noted:
“When you prioritize inclusion from the start, it doesn’t just check a box—it transforms the creative process. Different perspectives make stories richer.”
Hollywood’s Ongoing Challenges
Despite these bright spots, 2023 data reveals persistent gaps:
- Only 22% of top-grossing films had female directors
- Women accounted for just 25% of cinematographers on major studio projects
- Pay disparities between male and female department heads remain significant
Initiatives like ReFrame provide measurable accountability, but systemic change requires sustained effort from studios, unions, and financiers.
The Path Forward
The inclusion of major studio (Wicked) and indie (The Substance) projects in this year’s ReFrame cohort proves gender-balanced hiring is achievable at all budget levels. Upcoming initiatives to watch include:
- ReFrame’s systemic change programs working with studios to institutionalize equitable practices
- The 50/50 by 2025 Pledge signed by major festivals and distributors
- Crew training pipelines like Film Independent’s Project Involve
As The Substance director Fargeat told Variety:
“We’ve proved women can lead every aspect of a film. Now it’s about making sure those opportunities aren’t exceptions—they’re the rule.”
Final Takeaways
The ReFrame Stamp honors films that turn equality rhetoric into reality. By celebrating Wicked, Emilia Pérez, and The Substance, the industry:
- Validates inclusive productions as commercially and critically viable
- Sets concrete benchmarks for other projects to follow
- Amplifies underrepresented voices where it matters most—in the creative process
For audiences, these stamps signal more authentic storytelling. For Hollywood, they’re a roadmap toward a truly equitable future.