Diversity is the name of the game nowadays — and no, I don’t simply mean pointless token hires. I’m talking about a realization within the industry that having diverse talent actually helps diversify the content to help capture and engage audiences that they may not have been able to capture in the past. We’ve seen this in recent films like Black Panther, Wonder Woman, and Get Out, and it’s an increasing trend in the industry. So, it ain’t going anywhere any time soon.

There has also been a push to increase the number of female film directors hired by major studios, and this has more recently (as of Sundance last week) come in the form of the “4 percent challenge.” The 4 percent challenge is an initiative from Time’s Up an Annenberg Inclusion Initiative for studios to announce the hiring of one female director in the next 18 months.

RELATED – Top 5 Disney Animation Studios Films 2000-2018 | LRM Ranks It

Universal Studios was the first one to take on the challenge, and apparently, Disney CEO Bob Iger had been asked about it as well. Here’s what he had to say in response to that:

“Many have contacted us about accepting the 4% challenge, but I’m proud to say 40% of @DisneyStudios’ upcoming movie slate is being directed by women and we are striving for more!”

Many have contacted us about accepting the 4% challenge, but I’m proud to say 40% of @DisneyStudios’ upcoming movie slate is being directed by women and we are striving for more!

— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) January 31, 2019

This is quite the example the studio is making for the industry. Admittedly, 4% was a number that was insultingly low, but that really does highlight the problem within the industry — that it’s a “challenge” to hire one female director.

Studios definitely do seem to be starting to see that they’re leaving money on the table by not diversifying their talent, and I also know the underrepresentation doesn’t just occur at the professional level. It’s something that’s ingrained in our culture. But giving many hard-working women a potential path to the top is one way of helping to set an example for the future.

What do you think of the 4 percent challenge? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

SOURCE: Bob Iger