*Of UK films released in 2013; BFI Statistical Yearbook
Let’s be honest, when we think of women in film, it’s often the actresses that come to mind. Even then, nine times out of ten, we’re talking about how much they weigh, or what they’re wearing. It’s not really about that though, is it?
GoThinkBig and O2 have teamed up with the BFI and the team behind Carey Mulligan & Meryl Streep's new film, ‘Suffragette', to help promote getting more young people into the film industry. We thought it was about time we drew your attention to these five behind-the-scenes heroes that will inspire you to follow your dreams and reach for that film job you’ve been coveting for years.
Jane Arden
Jane Arden was a Welsh film director, screenwriter, playwright, actress and poet. Among several other accolades, her film, The Other Side of the Underneath (1972), was the only feature film of the 1970’s to be solo directed by a female.
Edith Head
Edith Head’s career as a costume designer spans six decades. Responsible for dressing some of the most iconic stars in film history (including Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor), Edith holds the record for the most Oscars won by any individual woman. She won 8 in total, but was nominated for 35.
Samira Makhmalbaf
Samira Makhmalbaf is hailed as the maker of the most accomplished film ever made by a teenager. She directed ‘The Apple’ when she was just 17 years old. She now sits on juries at film festivals all around the world.
Thelma Schoonmaker
Thelma Schoonmaker is a film editor who has been working alongside Martin Scorsese for the last forty years. The pair met at New York University where Schoonmaker helped Scorsese edit a project. Their creative partnership has continued ever since.
Sheila Whitaker
Sheila Whitaker, who sadly died in 2013, had an extensive and impressive career in film. Perhaps most notably, she spent 20 years working at the BFI heading up programming of the National Film Theatre and the London Film Festival. She also established the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Now known as Flare.
Now it’s your chance to join these women and make your mark on the film industry. GoThinkBig are running a competition offering 18-24 year olds the chance to win a place on their unique film opportunity and to premiere their own short film alongside 'Suffragette' at the BFI London Film Festival.
For more information & to enter, head to: www.gothinkbig.co.uk/
Applications close on 20/09/2015
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.