Diversity – both on and off the screen – is essential for Hollywood’s survival as a new report shows that audiences of color drove the biggest box-office winners last year.
The UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report looked into the diversity of the top theatrical releases in 2023. KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian reported that they found that BIPOC and female moviegoers propped up the movie industry. Dr. Ana-Christina Ramón, who led the study, said that top movie releases have progressively gotten more diverse.
“We have seen that those films have been doing the best,” she said.
And this can impact awards, too.
“In terms of just the Oscars themselves, the past couple of years have really shown just how much diversifying Hollywood, when it's more reflective of the real world then and people are given the opportunities there, then they can shine,” Ramón said.
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However, behind the scenes, representation of women in key job categories went down. She said that there’s a disconnect that’s disheartening.
The most popular movie in the world at the box office in 2023 was Barbie. However, Ramón said that Hollywood isn't really investing in female creatives.
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