Six years ago, Ally Pankiw directed the first season of the Netflix comedy-drama “Feel Good,” a breakthrough moment in her career. However, achieving this success was challenging, as she repeatedly encountered the industry expectation of prior TV directing experience – a common barrier for women and people of color.
Frustrated by this catch-22, Pankiw began bringing mentees onto her sets, initially funding their participation from her own commercial rates and later advocating for their inclusion in production budgets. The goal was to provide aspiring directors with firsthand experience in an often inaccessible industry.
These individual efforts have now evolved into Breadcrumbs, a formal mentorship program launched late last year. Breadcrumbs connects up-and-coming women and nonbinary directors with paid, credited shadowing opportunities on film, TV, and commercial sets.
Currently, approximately 25 directors and production companies have pledged to participate, including “Freakier Friday” director Nisha Ganatra and Lilly Wachowski of “The Matrix” franchise.
Pankiw’s initiative arrives at a time when Hollywood is experiencing a decline in women’s employment. A recent study revealed that women directed only 13% of the top 250 films last year, down from 16% in 2024. Martha Lauzen, author of the study, suggests this reflects a lack of concern from major film studios regarding gender inequality.
Past efforts to address this issue, including a 2015 investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and post-#MeToo commitments to 50% female candidate lists, have stalled due to industry headwinds like the pandemic, strikes, and budget cuts. The recent call from President Trump to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs has further complicated matters.
Breadcrumbs aims to address the core issue of opportunity by normalizing paid mentorships on sets, providing mentees with practical experience and fostering confidence. Pankiw hopes the program will empower participants and contribute to a more inclusive industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Breadcrumbs program?
Breadcrumbs is a mentorship program that connects up-and-coming women and nonbinary directors with paid, credited shadowing opportunities on film, TV, and commercial sets.
What prompted the creation of Breadcrumbs?
Ally Pankiw created Breadcrumbs after experiencing the difficulty of breaking into directing without prior experience, a challenge often faced by women and people of color in the industry.
What is the current state of women’s representation in directing roles?
According to a recent study, women directed 13% of the top 250 films last year, a decrease from 16% in 2024, indicating a backslide in representation.
Will initiatives like Breadcrumbs be enough to shift the long-standing imbalance in Hollywood’s directorial ranks?
