Featured News
Our new report on the representation of menopause in film reveals that menopause remains nearly invisible in top-grossing films featuring women over 40, with only 6% mentioning it at all — usually as a joke. Drawing on 16 years of data, the study exposes how midlife women are still framed through stereotypes around aging, sexuality, and emotion, offering the clearest picture yet of how menopause is erased or mishandled on screen.
Welcome to our website!
I created this research Institute 20 years ago because when I first saw kids’ shows and movies through my toddler daughter’s eyes, I was stunned by the lack of female characters and diversity. Back in 2004, only 11% of family films had female leads. Our latest data show we’ve reached gender parity for leads in family films and kids’ TV in the U.S.
But urgent attention is needed for race and ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, older characters, diverse body types, and disability representation. My institute works with creatives all over the world to enhance on-screen diversity and ensure nuanced portrayals.
There’s a lot of inequity in the world, but we have the power to fix representation in media overnight. Tomorrow, take a look at your projects and make sure they reflect the real world.
No more missed opportunities! And give us a shout – we’re here to help!
Spotlight
“Paper Bag Plan” is a rare kind of film—rooted in lived experience, led by disabled talent, and honest about caregiving, love, and the complicated work of building an independent life. Lucero’s story draws from real families and real responsibilities, showing what representation looks like when it’s grounded in truth rather than stereotype. It’s a film that stays with you because it reflects the lives so many people rarely see on screen.
