Representation in Family Films – 2024 Study by Geena Davis Institute

Introduction

Representation in family films plays a crucial role in shaping how audiences, especially children, perceive the world. The Geena Davis Institute’s 2024 Family Film Study provides a detailed analysis of gender, race, LGBTQIA+ identity, disability, body size, and age in family-friendly films. This research is essential for understanding gaps in media representation and encouraging more authentic storytelling.

The study examines 82 films from 2023, focusing on those rated G, PG, and PG-13 with budgets over $10 million. The findings highlight both progress and persistent disparities in representation in family films. Read the full 2024 study and explore the toolkit and event to learn more.

Key Findings: How Representation in Family Films is Evolving

Gender Representation in Family Films

Despite some progress, gender disparities remain:

• Nearly 75% of films pass the Bechdel Test, which requires at least two named female characters to talk to each other about something other than a man.
• Female characters make up only 37.8% of all characters on screen.
• 35.3% of leads are female, showing an imbalance in protagonist roles.
• Women are almost five times more likely to be objectified (3.3% vs. 0.7% for men) and three times more likely to wear sexually revealing clothing (7.4% vs. 2.5%).

Racial and Ethnic Representation in Family Films

The study found disparities in racial diversity:

• White characters make up 59.5% of all characters, while characters of color account for 40.5%.
• Black characters represent 20.5%, followed by Asian and Pacific Islander characters (11.6%), and Latinx characters (5.8%).
• Among films with budgets over $100 million, 40.7% of leads are people of color, showing improvement in big-budget productions.

Although there has been progress, more work is needed to ensure authentic representation that reflects real-world demographics.

LGBTQIA+ Representation in Family Films

LGBTQIA+ visibility remains low:

• Only 1.5% of characters in the study are LGBTQIA+, far below the 7.6% of the U.S. population that identifies as LGBTQIA+.
• 2.9% of leads are LGBTQIA+, showing marginal improvements but still falling short.

More authentic storytelling is needed to represent LGBTQIA+ characters in a way that feels natural and meaningful.

Disability Representation in Family Films

Disabled characters are significantly underrepresented:

• Only 2.0% of all characters have a cognitive, learning, behavioral, or physical disability.
• Just 1.0% of leads have a disability, despite 26% of U.S. adults living with a disability.

More stories should include characters with disabilities in prominent roles, ensuring they are portrayed with depth and authenticity.

Body Size and Age Representation in Family Films

Hollywood continues to favor thin and young characters:

• Only 6.5% of characters in family films are fat, and just 2.0% of leads are fat.
• 18.7% of all characters are aged 50+, while only 15.8% of leads fall into this age group.

The entertainment industry must embrace a wider range of body types and age groups to create more authentic and inclusive storytelling.

Recommendations for More Authentic Representation in Family Films

1. Tell stories that reflect the real world.
   • Ensure characters come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, just like real-life audiences.
2. Avoid tokenization and stereotypes.
   • Develop fully realized characters with meaningful arcs and motivations beyond their identity markers.
3. Encourage storytelling from a wide range of perspectives.
   • Support filmmakers and writers with different life experiences to bring fresh, authentic voices to the screen.
4. Expand the variety of roles portrayed on screen.
   • Move beyond predictable character types and create complex, engaging individuals across all backgrounds.
5. Reduce objectification and harmful tropes.
   • Focus on creating characters with depth rather than relying on outdated stereotypes.
6. Ensure authentic representation in storytelling.
   • Work with experts and research real-life experiences to ensure accuracy and nuance in character development.
7. Foster deep relationships between female characters.
   • Move beyond token representation by depicting strong female friendships and mentorships on screen.
8. Support research and data-driven decision-making.
   • Invest in studies like this one to track industry progress and improve future storytelling.
9. Celebrate diverse stories.
   • Use awards, media coverage, and funding incentives to highlight films that explore a wide range of perspectives.
10. Work with organizations that promote responsible storytelling.
11. Partner with groups like the Geena Davis Institute to create more balanced and accurate portrayals in media.

The Impact of This Study on the Film Industry

The Geena Davis Institute’s research has historically influenced Hollywood’s approach to representation in family films. Previous reports have led to:

• Increased gender-balanced casting in children’s media.
• More awareness of implicit biases in storytelling.
• Studios implementing new initiatives to support a wider range of voices in filmmaking.

By continuing to release data-driven insights, the Institute provides a roadmap for studios to create more equitable and diverse films.

Conclusion

The Geena Davis Institute’s 2024 Film Study highlights both progress and persistent gaps in representation in family films. While strides have been made, the data underscores the need for continued industry-wide change.

Filmmakers, studios, and audiences all play a role in shaping a more inclusive future. By prioritizing authentic storytelling and diverse casting, Hollywood can create films that truly reflect the world we live in.

📖 Read the full report: 2024 Family Film Study
📂 Access the toolkit: Toolkit
🎟️ View the event: Event

FAQs

1. Why is representation in family films important?

Media shapes societal perceptions, especially for young audiences. When films reflect a wide range of experiences, they help children see themselves represented and foster empathy for others.

2. How has Hollywood improved in terms of representation?

While progress has been made, disparities remain in gender, race, LGBTQIA+ identity, and disability representation. High-budget films have shown greater improvement in racial diversity, but other areas still need attention.

3. What is the Bechdel Test, and why does it matter?

The Bechdel Test measures female representation in films by checking whether two named female characters have a conversation about something other than a man. Passing the test suggests better gender balance and more meaningful female characters.

4. What steps can studios take to improve authentic representation?

Studios can improve representation by telling well-rounded stories, ensuring characters reflect the real world, and allowing storytellers with different experiences to bring fresh perspectives to the screen.

5. How can audiences support authentic representation in film?

Viewers can advocate for better representation by supporting films with diverse characters and meaningful storytelling, engaging in conversations about media portrayals, and encouraging studios to prioritize authenticity in conversations about media portrayals, and encouraging studios to prioritize authenticity.