The Inclusion List

“

T

he goal of The Inclusion List is to celebrate the films, filmmakers, and companies who are supporting inclusion on screen and behind-the-camera.

It relies on a rigorous, quantitative assessment of hiring practices to determine the winners. In the first year, The Inclusion List recognized notable leaders and projects. In its second iteration, The Inclusion List spotlights projects from 2023 that were leaders on inclusion and highlights the people who brought those stories to life.”

DR. STACY L. SMITH

Founder of Annenberg Inclusion Initiative

Top Inclusive Filmmakers

Directors

The directors who have worked with the most women and/or people of color as cinematographers, editors, production designers, or assistant directors across the last 5 years.

Catherine Hardwicke: image credit to Jim Ruymen/UPI

Catherine Hardwicke

Mafia Mamma, Miss Bala

Olivia Wilde: image credit to Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times

Olivia Wilde

Booksmart, Don’t Worry Darling

Destin Daniel Cretton: image credit to Mike Marsland

Destin Daniel Cretton

Just Mercy, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Reinaldo Marcus Green: image credit to Antony Jones/Getty for Paramount

Reinaldo Marcus Green

Joe Bell, King Richard

Kasi Lemmons: image credit to Emily Aragones

Kasi Lemmons

Harriet, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Catherine Hardwicke: image credit to Jim Ruymen/UPICatherine Hardwicke: image credit to Jim Ruymen/UPI
Olivia Wilde: image credit to Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles TimesOlivia Wilde: image credit to Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times
Destin Daniel Cretton: image credit to Mike MarslandDestin Daniel Cretton: image credit to Mike Marsland
Reinaldo Marcus Green: image credit to Antony Jones/Getty for ParamountReinaldo Marcus Green: image credit to Antony Jones/Getty for Paramount
Kasi Lemmons: image credit to Emily AragonesKasi Lemmons: image credit to Emily Aragones

Editors

Women and/or people of color working as editors whose work appears most often on the Inclusion List across the last 5 years.

Annette Davey: image credit to IMDB

Annette Davey

Poms; Together, Together; My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

Terilyn A. Shropshire: image credit to Mark Edwards

Terilyn A. Shropshire

Miss Bala; The Woman King

Hilda Rasula: image credit to Hilda Rasula

Hilda Rasula

American Fiction; Moving On

Catrin Hedström: image credit to Patrick Lewis/Starpix

Catrin Hedström

The Marvels; Candyman

Blair McClendon: image credit to David M. Benett/Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Blair McClendon

Aftersun; The Assistant

Harry Yoon: image credit to

Harry Yoon

Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings; Minari

Anne McCabe: image credit to Provided by Anne McCabe

Anne McCabe

Land; Dear Evan Hansen

Mary Jo Markey: image credit to Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Mary Jo Markey

The Eyes of Tammy Faye; Charlie’s Angels

Annette Davey: image credit to IMDBAnnette Davey: image credit to IMDB
Terilyn A. Shropshire: image credit to Mark EdwardsTerilyn A. Shropshire: image credit to Mark Edwards
Hilda Rasula: image credit to Hilda RasulaHilda Rasula: image credit to Hilda Rasula
Catrin Hedström: image credit to Patrick Lewis/StarpixCatrin Hedström: image credit to Patrick Lewis/Starpix
Blair McClendon: image credit to David M. Benett/Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesBlair McClendon: image credit to David M. Benett/Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Harry Yoon: image credit to Harry Yoon: image credit to
Anne McCabe: image credit to Provided by Anne McCabeAnne McCabe: image credit to Provided by Anne McCabe
Mary Jo Markey: image credit to Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesMary Jo Markey: image credit to Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Top Inclusive Films of 2023

Gender

The films from 2023 that scored highest on the representation of girls/women on screen and behind the camera.

A Thousand and One: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features

A Thousand and One

2023

You Hurt My Feelings: image credit to Courtesy of A24

You Hurt My Feelings

2023

The Marvels: image credit to Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

The Marvels

2023

Priscilla: image credit to Courtesy of A24

Priscilla

2023

Barbie: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Barbie

2023

A Thousand and One: image credit to Courtesy of Focus FeaturesA Thousand and One: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features
You Hurt My Feelings: image credit to Courtesy of A24You Hurt My Feelings: image credit to Courtesy of A24
The Marvels: image credit to Courtesy of Walt Disney StudiosThe Marvels: image credit to Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios
Priscilla: image credit to Courtesy of A24Priscilla: image credit to Courtesy of A24
Barbie: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.Barbie: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Race/Ethnicity

The films from 2023 that scored highest on the representation of underrepresented racial/ethnic groups on screen and behind the camera.

Joy Ride: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Joy Ride

2023

A Thousand and One: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features

A Thousand and One

2023

The Color Purple: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The Color Purple

2023

The Blackening: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate Films

The Blackening

2023

House Party: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.

House Party

2023

Joy Ride: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate FilmsJoy Ride: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate Films
A Thousand and One: image credit to Courtesy of Focus FeaturesA Thousand and One: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features
The Color Purple: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.The Color Purple: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.
The Blackening: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate FilmsThe Blackening: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate Films
House Party: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.House Party: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.

LGBTQ+

The films from 2023 that scored highest on the representation of the LGBTQ+ community on screen.

All of Us Strangers: image credit to Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

All of Us Strangers

2023

Theater Camp: image credit to Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Theater Camp

2023

Bottoms: image credit to Courtesy of Orion Pictures

Bottoms

2023

Knock at the Cabin: image credit to Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Knock at the Cabin

2023

Saltburn: image credit to Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Saltburn

2023

All of Us Strangers: image credit to Courtesy of Searchlight PicturesAll of Us Strangers: image credit to Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Theater Camp: image credit to Courtesy of Searchlight PicturesTheater Camp: image credit to Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Bottoms: image credit to Courtesy of Orion PicturesBottoms: image credit to Courtesy of Orion Pictures
Knock at the Cabin: image credit to Courtesy of Universal PicturesKnock at the Cabin: image credit to Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Saltburn: image credit to Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)Saltburn: image credit to Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Disability

The films from 2023 that scored highest on the representation of people with disabilities on screen.

What Happens Later: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

What Happens Later

2023

John Wick: Chapter 4: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate Films

John Wick: Chapter 4

2023

Moving On: image credit to Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

Moving On

2023

Golda: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

Golda

2023

The Holdovers: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features

The Holdovers

2023

What Happens Later: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street MediaWhat Happens Later: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media
John Wick: Chapter 4: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate FilmsJohn Wick: Chapter 4: image credit to Courtesy of Lionsgate Films
Moving On: image credit to Courtesy of Roadside AttractionsMoving On: image credit to Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
Golda: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street MediaGolda: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media
The Holdovers: image credit to Courtesy of Focus FeaturesThe Holdovers: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features

Age

The films from 2023 that scored highest on the representation of people age 65 and older on screen.

Book Club: The Next Chapter: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features

Book Club: The Next Chapter

2023

Moving On: image credit to Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

Moving On

2023

Marlowe: image credit to Courtesy of Open Road Films (II)

Marlowe

2023

The Miracle Club: image credit to Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

The Miracle Club

2023

Golda: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

Golda

2023

Book Club: The Next Chapter: image credit to Courtesy of Focus FeaturesBook Club: The Next Chapter: image credit to Courtesy of Focus Features
Moving On: image credit to Courtesy of Roadside AttractionsMoving On: image credit to Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
Marlowe: image credit to Courtesy of Open Road Films (II)Marlowe: image credit to Courtesy of Open Road Films (II)
The Miracle Club: image credit to Courtesy of Sony Pictures EntertainmentThe Miracle Club: image credit to Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment
Golda: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street MediaGolda: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

Top 150 Inclusive Films

The most inclusive films from the last 5 years, determined by on screen and behind the camera scores.

#TitleYear ReleasedDistributorTotal Score

1–5 of 150

Top Inclusive Distributors

Studio Distributors

The studio distributors with the highest score and most films on the Inclusion List across the last 5 years.

Universal Pictures: image credit to Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

TOP STUDIO DISTRIBUTOR

Sony: image credit to Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Sony

STUDIO DISTRIBUTOR

Warner Bros.: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Warner Bros.

STUDIO DISTRIBUTOR

Universal Pictures: image credit to Courtesy of Universal PicturesUniversal Pictures: image credit to Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Sony: image credit to Courtesy of Sony PicturesSony: image credit to Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Warner Bros.: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.Warner Bros.: image credit to Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Studio Distributors Ranked

#DistributorTotal FilmsTotal ScoreTotal BTSTotal On Screen

Independent Distributors

The independent distributors with the highest score and most films on the Inclusion List across the last 5 years.

A24: image credit to Courtesy of A24

A24

TOP INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR

MGM: image credit to Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

MGM

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR

Bleecker Street: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

Bleecker Street

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR

A24: image credit to Courtesy of A24A24: image credit to Courtesy of A24
MGM: image credit to Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)MGM: image credit to Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Bleecker Street: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street MediaBleecker Street: image credit to Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

Independent Distributors Ranked

#DistributorTotal FilmsTotal ScoreTotal BTSTotal On Screen

Methodology

The Inclusion List was determined through a process of assigning points for films that met inclusion metrics. A total of 20 points could be earned: 10 for cast, 10 for crew. We examined the percentage of White Men, White Women, Underrepresented Men, and Underrepresented Women across each behind-the-scenes position included in the rankings. Points were totaled across all available metrics on screen and behind the camera, and films were ranked according to their full point total. The Inclusion List is comprised of the top 150 US originating films that earned between 5.3 and 15 points across all inclusion metrics.

Read Our Methodology

Partnership

The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative partnered with the Adobe Foundation to create a data-driven tool that would allow the public to understand who has taken inclusion seriously and been a driving force for industry change. We seek to inform, challenge, and congratulate the entertainment industry and point out where there is room to grow.

Read Our Partnership

Project Credits

We would like to express our gratitude to the individuals and organizations who have assisted and supported us, in addition to our outstanding team. Amy White, Julia Tian, and Brycie Jones, along with Karen Do, Lexie Riegelhaupt, and Elise O’Neil and their colleagues at the Adobe Foundation have provided unwavering support for this project since its inception. The dedicated team at the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative also played a significant role in making this project possible, and we extend our appreciation to our hardworking students for their contributions.

Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Founder: Dr. Stacy L. Smith
Program Director: Dr. Katherine Pieper
Program Manager: Ariana Case
Project Administrator: Katherine Neff
Development Team: Sam Wheeler and Anvitha Chegu Ashokkumar
Design Team: Brooke Kong and Isabelle Lim
Research Assistants: Amy Andrade, Angela Bogosyan, Anish Lahorani, Aryana Dizadji, Danielle Hsieh, Halle Thompson, Hrushikesh Lavate, Jaden Sibrian, Janelle Nwakuche, Kally Yuan, Katie Lee, Nelson Lou, Olu Ajayi, Sanjana Senthil, Sophia Pelaez, Tyrese Shaffer
Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Staff Team: Aimee Christopher, Braxton Albers, Bryan Davis, Karla Hernandez, Matthew A. Davis, Sarah Neff, Zoe Moore, Zoily Mercado, W. Michael Sayers

This project was led by Samuel Wheeler (Research Programmer) and Brooke Kong (User Experience Designer). Authorship should be cited as: Wheeler, S., Kong, B., Pieper, K., & Smith, S.L. (2023). The Inclusion List.® Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. Los Angeles, CA.

Interested to see how we did from 2019-2022?

Last year, we measured the top films, producers, and distributors driving inclusive entertainment from analyzing films released from 2019-2022.

See Our 2019-2022 Report