In an industry where the less glamorous realities of exploitation and unethical practices often remain obscured from public view, Film Industry Watch (FIW) advocates for ethical conduct. As a non-profit entity dedicated to transparency, FIW pays particular attention to Film Festivals, Screenwriting Labs, various awards, and public Film Funds—entities predominantly supported by public funding. This focus demands a high standard of fairness and transparency in operations that impact individual careers and the cultural landscape at large.
FIW targets a spectrum of ingrained issues that jeopardise both the welfare and careers of film industry professionals, from non-payment and unsafe work conditions to systemic racism, gender bias, and sexual misconduct. The organisation pays particular attention to companies known for dissolving and rebranding to evade accountability and serial offenders whose histories of misconduct are well-documented yet frequently overlooked due to their industry clout.
Demystifying decision-making
Beyond its watchdog role, FIW is committed to demystifying the secretive decision-making processes and entrenched power dynamics that restrict opportunities and suppress creative freedom within the industry. By advocating for transparency and equitable access, FIW protects and empowers emerging talents and marginalised voices, ensuring success is based on merit and passion rather than nepotism and favouritism. This is visualised in the above chart explaining how and why film quality output has degraded over the years. Dominating the top of this hierarchy are nepotism and family connections, followed by a series of considerations—financial interests, social connections, identity politics, and the theme of the project—each of which outweighs the work’s actual artistic or creative merit.
FIW operates with rigorous independence, maintaining a professional distance from festival organisers and film funds to ensure unbiased reporting—an essential practice in an environment where financial and social influences can easily corrupt information dissemination. Through thorough investigations and the visualisation of industry connections, FIW reveals how deeply financial and interpersonal networks can influence artistic recognition and success. This is especially apparent in film festivals and funding bodies, where nepotism, identity politics, and financial interests frequently overshadow artistic achievement, fostering a culture prioritising profitability and connections over genuine merit.
One notable investigation revealed potential conflicts involving Mélissa Malinbaum, a producer who also served on the Cannes Film Festival short film committee. Concerns were raised about her dual roles when the film she produced, Gabriel, was selected for the festival’s competition, an event coordinated by the committee she was part of. A similar investigation concerns Carla Vulpiani and Enrico Vannucci, programmers at the Venice and Locarno Film Festivals, respectively, and they also run VariColoured, a company promoting and selling short films. Their involvement raised concerns when films represented by VariColoured were selected at these festivals.
Moreover, Film Industry Watch detailed a significant case at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival involving the Greek film The Distance Between Us and the Sky, which won the Palme d’Or for short films. They reported on undisclosed long-standing relationships between jury members and the film’s producer, which might have influenced the jury’s decision, potentially skewing the competition in favour of pre-existing professional ties. Further investigations have Yielded systemic corruption or conflict of interest cases in Ukraine, Romania, Israel, UK, and with the Torino Film Lab.
Initiatives and support
A landmark initiative by FIW is the establishment of a $25,000 Whistleblower Fund. This fund incentivises insiders to disclose wrongdoing and guarantees anonymity, protecting those who risk their careers to bring transparency to the industry.
In addition, FIW supports future filmmakers through the Post Production Grant, which provides $5,000 annually to assist film students worldwide in completing their projects. The next deadline to apply is 31 July 2024.
FIW also supports academic research on analysing nepotism and power imbalances within the European film industry, including the UK. Particular areas of interest are Film and Media Studies, Sociology, Political Science, Business and Economics, and Ethics and philosophy. They are particularly focused on supporting comparative studies of European public film financing and developing alternative public funding structures resistant to corruption and nepotism. Additionally, they express a keen research interest that utilises big data analysis and AI tools to explore the dynamics of the film industry over the past two decades.
Moreover, FIW’s commitment extends to comprehensive support for emerging filmmakers. They offer sponsorship opportunities for individuals pursuing Masters or PhD degrees focused on investigating industry-specific issues like favouritism and power structures. This holistic initiative enriches academic discourse and equips the next generation of filmmakers with the knowledge to navigate and reform the industry.
If you would like to report a crime, misconduct, corruption, or a conflict of interest, or if you have any questions, contact contact@filmindustrywatch.org. This is the same contact if you believe you or your company name was listed on this website unjustly.