Women filmmakers in Mexico champion their place on screen

Filmmakers from 12 countries are gathering in Mexico City for the 22nd International Women in Film and Television Showcase, an event dedicated to highlighting the work of women in the industry. Organizers emphasized that films directed by women continue to be "considered a minority, that's why we exist," pointing to the ongoing challenges they face in a male-dominated field.

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Films made by women are still considered a minority, that's why we exist.

Abril Alzaga, director of the Procine trust in Mexico City, stated that women are still relegated to the "minority box" by the industry, while "white men" secure a disproportionate share of cultural budgets. "We still have to prove threefold that we are just as prepared, that we are just as responsible and creative," Alzaga said, addressing the persistent gender gaps in the sector, where women are often concentrated in production roles.

Statistics from the Mexican Film Yearbook reveal that in 2025, out of approximately 235 feature films produced in Mexico, only 52 were directed exclusively by women. However, 6,783 women were involved in various cinematographic and audiovisual production activities. Rosa Peral of Egeda Mexico (Audiovisual Producers' Rights Management Entity) expressed optimism that the current landscape, with the rise of streaming platforms, could help rebalance the scales. She believes that producers can encourage more female directors to gain confidence and break into new areas.

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We still have to prove threefold that we are just as prepared, that we are just as responsible and creative.

"When a woman is in production, it's easier to include a director to make a series on platforms and for her to start gaining confidence there," Peral explained. Xóchitl Zepeda, responsible for programming the showcase, noted that out of 201 projects submitted by women from various countries, the majority were short films. She suggested this might be due to budgetary limitations, lamenting, "Women also know how to make feature films, the problem is the budget we receive."

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When a woman is in production, it's easier to include a director to make a series on platforms and for her to start gaining confidence there.

The showcase includes national features such as 'Llamarse Olimpia' by Indira Cato, 'Adiós Amor' by Indra Villaseñor, and 'En camino a Leo' by Ana Bárcenas, alongside international selections like 'Retrato de una cerilla' by Spain's Claudia García de Mateos and 'Mama' by Ecuador's Ana Cristina Benítez. The event aims to provide visibility and support for female talent in cinema, challenging industry norms and advocating for greater gender equality on screen.

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Women also know how to make feature films, the problem is the budget we receive.