If you’ve ever paid attention to female representation in Hollywood or the push for more women filmmakers in entertainment, you’ve likely encountered the work of Melissa Silverstein. As the founder of Women and Hollywood, one of the pioneering platforms advocating for gender diversity in the film industry, Melissa has been a driving force in this movement. She also co-founded the Athena Film Festival, a celebration of female-driven films, established the Girls Club, an online community for women creatives, and hosts the podcast In Her Voice, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at women who make films. A true trailblazer, Melissa has dedicated decades to elevating women and their stories and is now turning the page to focus on her own creative journey.

Join Erin and Melissa as they delve into the importance of creating spaces that spotlight women’s stories and explore the opportunities that arise from challenging the status quo—especially the patriarchy. We discuss:

1. The ongoing struggle for women’s stories and representation in the film industry.
2. The crucial role of women behind the camera in bringing authentic, diverse narratives to the forefront of entertainment.
3. Why it’s essential to see women, especially women of color, in powerful on-screen roles to shift societal attitudes and dismantle patriarchal structures.
4. Expanding the conversation on gender representation in media to include trans and non-binary voices.
5. The ongoing challenges of getting women’s stories made in Hollywood and the importance of women investing in and supporting each other's projects.
6. The current disruption in the media industry and how it creates an opportunity to develop new storytelling models for women over 40.

OUR GUEST: Melissa Silverstein is the founder of Women and Hollywood and the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of The Athena Film Festival at Barnard College. She is also the founder of the Girls Club, an online community for women creatives.

Want more Melissa? Check out Women and Hollywood and the Athena Film Festival and listen to her podcast In Her Voice. Follow her on:

1. Instagram:
2. @melsil
3. @womenandhollywood
4. X/Twitter:
5. @melsil
6. @womenahollywood

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Mentioned in this episode:

Broad Collective

Learn more about Broad Collective and our membership network for midlife women entrepreneurs at broadcollective.com.