Women in film

There is a great analysis of opportunities for women in documentary vs fiction filmmaking in the latest Ms. Magazine:

Chris Hegedus, whose co-directing credits with partner D.A. Pennebaker include "The War Room" and the recent "Elaine Stritch at Liberty," got involved with documentary filmmaking in 1970.

“There was the feminist movement, anti-war protests and civil rights activism,” she says. “It was such a political time, and the new portable sync-sound 16mm camera rigs made it possible to just pick up a camera to film people’s stories. It was a way to be independent when Hollywood was so distant, especially for women.”

While 16mm technology was as key to the production of documentaries in the ’70s and ’80s as digital video is today, the expansion of cable and public television has been crucial for their exhibition. Unlike the Hollywood movie business, PBS and cable TV from their inception welcomed women as executives, producers and directors.