Purpose: Female Film Critics (@FemaleCritics) champions women in an industry that reports on the depressing statistics (27% of Rotten Tomatoes-approved “Top Critics” are women), but has yet to do much to resolve the glaring gender disparity. Women are 51% of the population and 52% of moviegoers, yet cultural discourse continues to be dictated by men. We want to combat “the old boys’ club” with our own support network by highlighting the writing and talents of overlooked women writers and critics.

Origins: Over three years ago, I (Diana Drumm) was chatting with THR’s Katie Kilkenny about the lack of women in film criticism while she was prepping her piece “How the Internet Led to the Decline of Female Film Critics” for The Atlantic. (If you haven’t read it yet, you really should.) In the midst of venting my own pent-up frustrations, I realized that there wasn’t really a hub focused on women film writers on twitter. Yes, there was “Film Twitter,” but well, I think most of us have witnessed that it’s not always the most supportive environment. After checking the web and with Katie, I decided to launch the twitter account — part motivation stream, part promotional tool for women writers, part message board.

Since then, it’s evolved and grown into something much bigger. The response has been so positive and so embracing from fellow writers, august editors, aspiring fledgling critics, film fans, and people looking for more women voices in general. The account was named one of “50 Signs of Hope for Culture in 2016” by Flavorwire. (Thank you, Alison Nastasi!) Female Films Critics collaborated with Women and Hollywood on “The Dudeocracy of Film Critics” as well as guest posts and editing. (Thank you, Melissa Silverstein!!) I’ve spoken about the account and its purpose on podcasts, including Marya E. Gates’s “Female Filmmaker Friday” and “One Week Only” with Carlos Aguilar and Conor Holt.