Kate Bosworth, a longtime Hollywood veteran, actress and producer, has always been active in fighting for what she believes needs to change in the movie industry.
From taking on more decision-making roles on projects she’s involved in, to starting a two-week intensive film school with her husband, Bosworth has demonsrated a commitment to empower other filmmakers and draw more diversity into the industry.
“It really is about walking the walk," Bosworth told 'Good Morning America.' "It’s not just about putting a tweet out or an Instagram [post]."
This year, at the annual Women in Film Oscar Nominees party, Women in Film teamed up with Chloe Wine Collection and Bosworth to launch the “She Directed” campaign, to spotlight female filmmakers both in front and behind the camera.
The campaign includes a contest recognizing female directors, in which four winners will receive professional mentorships and one grand prize winner will be rewarded with a mentorship and a cash prize.
“I’m super passionate about female storytellers and putting women at the center of their stories, and I’m so excited to be here with a brand and an organization that feel compelled to be involved in the same way,” Bosworth said.
Speaking from her 20 year career, Bosworth pointed out a problem that reflects an obvious gender disparity in Hollywood. When it comes to casting, she said, usually a male lead is hired before the female lead.
“What that tells me is that as an actor, I don’t have as much value,” Bosworth told "GMA".
In talking about how deeply rooted that thinking runs in the industry, she referenced one of her students from her film class, who had written a short story for a male character.
When Bosworth suggested to make the short for herself, the student said that thought never even crossed her mind.
That is why mentorship is paramount to help advance female filmmakers, Bosworth said, by encouraging them to think outside of the industry box and tell their own stories.
In addition to “She Directed” Bosworth said movements like “Me Too” have also helped propel this positive shift within the business.
“We’re more powerful as a collective, I think women at least in the film industry felt all very isolated and kind of on their own island,” that is until the Me Too movement started, Bosworth told "GMA".
It's an overdue, but welcomed shift that brought people together to balance those scales, and make conscious and genuine decisions to tell stories that aren't pegged to one race or gender, Bosworth said.
"It’s really been such a relief and also something that’s so inspiring and invigorating,” she added.
Film submissions for the “She Directed” contest starts now until July 7th, 2019.
