Barriers to Diversity in Film – A Research Review – Aug 07

• There is little research in the UK on under-represented actors
and their representation, that is numbers in films as well as
types of roles allocated.
• There is no information on career pathways of under-
represented groups, when compared to white, able-bodied
men’s pathways.
• There is very little information about disabled professionals and
gay men and lesbians in the film sector, particularly their career
pathways and the types of jobs they occupy.
• There is a lack of information about who has agents in the film
sector and whether certain groups are under-represented in
agents’ books.
• There is no consistent monitoring of groups in the film sector
across the country and within regions.
• There is a lack of information about the range of decision
makers’ attitudes to and implementation of diversity strategies.
• There is no information on religious affiliation and the impact on
the employment of under-represented groups.
Priorities for action
• Carry out studies into actors and roles allocated by under-
represented groups, whether they are cast in incidental or
leading roles and the types of roles they portray.
• Industry decision makers need to be sensitised to the
narrowness in which talent for the industry is recruited and be
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