Lucrative blockbuster films are rarely directed by African Americans, holding them back in Hollywood

African Americans remain underrepresented in many US industries, including the film industry. Studying 1600 films released between 2000 and 2011, Maryann Erigha finds that African Americans are underrepresented behind the camera, with only seven percent of popular films and 2 percent of sci-fi films – the most lucrative – being directed by African Americans. She argues to African American directors’ limited presence on lucrative science fiction and blockbuster franchise films is a prominent obstacle in their path to achieving full inclusion and racial equality in Hollywood.