One in five (20%) of all respondents in a new YouGov poll say that women are being overlooked in Oscar nominations and more effort should be made to recognise their efforts in the film industry.
The biggest night in the film industry's calender, the Oscars, take place this Sunday night (2nd March). This year, there have been 158 men and 40 women nominated across the 24 categories for the 86th Academy Awards. Although one in five did say women were being under represented, over six in ten (64%) held the opposite view and felt that the numbers are acceptable and everyone who is nominated is being recognised for their work and contribution to the film industry. 16% did not know.
Over a quarter (26%) of women surveyed said the nomination numbers were unacceptable, as opposed to seven in ten (71%) of men who said they were acceptable. Younger people appear to me most against this gender divide, 29% of 18-24 year olds said it was unacceptable as opposed to 17% of 40-59 year olds.
Of the women that are nominated, Dame Judy Dench, from the film for Philomena was the most popular choice (19%) for those who expressed an opinion on who should win best actress. Dench was followed by Sandra Bullock from Gravity (15%) and Amy Adams (5%) from American Hustle.
In the best supporting actress category, 19% said Lupita Nyongo’o, who starred in 12 Years a Slave, should win. Other nominations include Jennifer Lawrence (11%), Julie Roberts (8%) and Sally Hawkins (2%). 60% said they did not know.
