 "Maybe they (women) don't want to make films, and now, just because there is money, they might be like "Hey, I wanna try this!" In the wake of film grants aiming for gender parity, Jack Manson, a film producer and self proclaimed philanthropist, offered a new pocket of funding for male filmmakers only. "M.O.F.F.", the Male Only Film Fund, was to give young male filmmakers a chance in this new, growing female-dominated industry. The 30,000 CND funding prize was made available for men ages 18-35.
A filmmaker named "Joe", who applied to the fund, offered his thoughts. "It's been a tough year for us (men) as we used to have access to so much funding and now, just because of our sex, our access to funds have been cut in half! Add to that, all the focus and headlines are about women in film, so where does that leave us? With every month that passes, more of the spotlight is put on female filmmakers. It wouldn't surprise me if they get ALL the funding. I'm gonna seriously think about leaving the business if that happens." Grant applicants can typically wait months before learning if they were successful at receiving funding. In Canada, there are federal, provincial and municipal funding options for filmmakers but typically, one funding body does not grant enough to complete a project, so one must apply to several streams to complete a budget, on paper at least. There are no guarantees that you will be successful but it is said that it is more likely that one funding body will grant you funds if another has already come on board. The difficult part for filmmakers is getting that first grant secured so that you can, hopefully, get the second approved. The industry has recently identified the lack of diversity amongst those who receive grants, and is responding accordingly by aiming for gender parity. Not everyone is pleased by this. Another applicant who responded to our interview request, ask to remain anonymous. "Maybe they (women) don't want to make films and now, just because there is money they might be like -- "Hey, I wanna try this!" -- which isn't fair to us guys who have been studying movies all our lives. There might be a few women that like movies but no way are there 50%. No way!" - anonymous When M.O.F.F. was announced, the site experienced several crashes due to the volume of applicants. Over 12,000 applications were filled out in the first week. The site immediately closed to any new applications. Since then, several human rights groups, filmmaker groups , and an online petition, have successfully put an end to this controversial fund. The fund's creator, Jack Manson, made a brief statement on his twitter account. "Clearly this was needed or there wouldn't be so many applications. I really thought I had a chance to put some men upfront but now, I'm not so sure they can make it in this business." The account has since been deleted. --- Quiet On The Set! is a monthly blog post about happenings in the indie film world. Any resemblance to any persons living, or dead, or in limbo, or who identifies as being alive, or dead, or in limbo, is purely coincidental. #QuietOnTheSet #HamFilmFest #IndieFilm #Comedy #HappyStuff photo credit: www.istockphoto.com/ca/portfolio/AaronAmat
10 Comments
While I am in favour of women enjoying more inclusion in all industries, I disagree with the result of that being the exclusion of men, or men being discriminated against on the basis that they are men. I'm glad Manson tried this, it's a pity it was not allowed to run its course.
Corey
3/31/2019 11:03:50 am
I find this to be a human rights violation as a whole. I just met up with a Producer friend of mine(She’s female) a few days ago and they’re is a Women in Film programme, so this in turn is pathetic. The only sexism I’m seeing in the business is coming from women and they are allowed to get away with it.
Linds
3/31/2019 07:36:24 pm
Seriously. Not to be unkind but this is a lot of nonsense. Men are by far and away given the majority of the opportunity to work in the film industry. There are more men producing, directing, writing and working in every production capacity. It is not because there are no women who are capable, willing and able. I belong to a professional screenwriting organization with over 6 thousand members. 52% of them are women. The most talented, energetic, helpful and accomplished of the ranks are women. They got 25% of the gigs available last year. Women routinely get less funding opportunities than we do. They are trusted to helm projects less often than we are. They are offered less and expected to work for less when they do get work and then they have to deal with the rest of the stupid crap that goes along with a sexist, obnoxious environment that casts them as abusers for attempting to catch up a little.
Nathan
3/31/2019 11:10:07 am
Men have had a massive head start. It's like a man in the 4th lap of a relay, and then letting the women step up to the starter block and letting them go. I said it two years ago, it's not going to be new technology that is the next big thing in the industry, it will be the female filmmaker. My film camps for the kids are pretty even 50 / 50 M/F which is amazing to see so expect a cinematic wave of new leaders and new ideas.
Cam
3/31/2019 03:22:52 pm
Where is the information about this fund? I can't find any information about the fund or the guy offering it.
Jen
3/31/2019 03:50:36 pm
I’m going to assume this article is a joke - a poorly worded joke lacking the /s.
Corey Piper
11/20/2022 05:33:59 pm
Statistics only shares information about the outcome. They give no indication as to the reason.... 11/20/2022 05:29:34 pm
How do I contact Jack Manson? Leave a Reply. |
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