Thanks for this excellent post, Rebecca. It's distressing how little has changed since your first post on the subject in 2014. I have a film in competition in Tribeca, and it turns out that all invitations to festival events go to the "Director/Creators" only. In 2026. Even after all of the industry conscious raising, here we are -- still virtually invisible. Tribeca does at least list producers on the film's page, which is an important step forward. Your persistent voice and your work in the field are greatly appreciated by me and by producers everywhere.
Such an important post. I felt the same when a major festival for our world premiere called the producers, "Guests of the Filmmaker." I was shocked at how this festival viewed my hard work on the film. Now, I believe that I am a filmmaker. I spend years developing a script and I mean spending countless hours reading and crafting notes, time on Zooms walking through those notes, reading changes to a point where the script is deemed ready for production etc etc. And then I go out and help find the means to make the film, sourcing financing and setting up fiscal sponsorships and crowdfunding campaigns and help with applying for grants. From there, I oversee all hiring of cast and crew, consult on the every aspect of the creative every single day, and I manage all aspects of production, marketing and release on top of being a managing member of the LLC. I'd say that makes me every bit a filmmaker as a director. I agree the director should absolutely have her/his moment in the sun but it's a marriage between a director and a producer. Directors know this. It's the festivals that need to realize and recognize that too. Thanks for all you do Rebecca!
Thanks for this piece Rebecca, and for the nice shoutout to the European Producers Club. There is strength in unity. Sending best wishes, Paula Vaccaro
I don't know much about producers work, because I am not a producer. But as a film editor myself, someone who is also being overseen a lot, I can understand well what you are saying.
Interesting. I’m surprised that producers don’t get recognition, it always seemed to me in the film industry they have been lauded, almost above some of the creative positions. I’m a filmmaker that loves producers, invaluable and necessary, the first collaborator I seek out when I’m ready to get into production.
this resonates so deeply, rebecca. it’s wild how a piece written in 2014—and an experience from 12 years ago—still hits the exact same painful nerve today.
the marty mcfly metaphor is perfect. producers often find themselves fading from the photograph the moment the lights in the theater go down. they carry the emotional and financial and logistical weight for years (often through immense personal struggles, as you so candidly shared about losing your mother), only to find that even the industry’s highest institutions sometimes treat them like logistics-machines.
but you’re absolutely right. they are the ones holding the wands. the creation of dear producer, the dpa, and producers united shows that while the system might still try to put an invisibility cloak on them, the community is refusing to wear it anymore. recognizing the own value and demanding that space (whether in festival catalogs or fair compensation) is the only way independent cinema survives.
thank you for being so beautifully candid back then, and for continuing to hold the mirror up to the industry today. producers aren't going anywhere.
Been here in this position so many times. I think it's great that you continue to share and give voice to this seemingly overlooked issue in the industry. Producers matter and the recognition matters too to me.
Thanks for this excellent post, Rebecca. It's distressing how little has changed since your first post on the subject in 2014. I have a film in competition in Tribeca, and it turns out that all invitations to festival events go to the "Director/Creators" only. In 2026. Even after all of the industry conscious raising, here we are -- still virtually invisible. Tribeca does at least list producers on the film's page, which is an important step forward. Your persistent voice and your work in the field are greatly appreciated by me and by producers everywhere.
Such an important post. I felt the same when a major festival for our world premiere called the producers, "Guests of the Filmmaker." I was shocked at how this festival viewed my hard work on the film. Now, I believe that I am a filmmaker. I spend years developing a script and I mean spending countless hours reading and crafting notes, time on Zooms walking through those notes, reading changes to a point where the script is deemed ready for production etc etc. And then I go out and help find the means to make the film, sourcing financing and setting up fiscal sponsorships and crowdfunding campaigns and help with applying for grants. From there, I oversee all hiring of cast and crew, consult on the every aspect of the creative every single day, and I manage all aspects of production, marketing and release on top of being a managing member of the LLC. I'd say that makes me every bit a filmmaker as a director. I agree the director should absolutely have her/his moment in the sun but it's a marriage between a director and a producer. Directors know this. It's the festivals that need to realize and recognize that too. Thanks for all you do Rebecca!
Thanks for this piece Rebecca, and for the nice shoutout to the European Producers Club. There is strength in unity. Sending best wishes, Paula Vaccaro
I don't know much about producers work, because I am not a producer. But as a film editor myself, someone who is also being overseen a lot, I can understand well what you are saying.
Awesome read! Thank you so much for sharing all this. 😚
Interesting. I’m surprised that producers don’t get recognition, it always seemed to me in the film industry they have been lauded, almost above some of the creative positions. I’m a filmmaker that loves producers, invaluable and necessary, the first collaborator I seek out when I’m ready to get into production.
this resonates so deeply, rebecca. it’s wild how a piece written in 2014—and an experience from 12 years ago—still hits the exact same painful nerve today.
the marty mcfly metaphor is perfect. producers often find themselves fading from the photograph the moment the lights in the theater go down. they carry the emotional and financial and logistical weight for years (often through immense personal struggles, as you so candidly shared about losing your mother), only to find that even the industry’s highest institutions sometimes treat them like logistics-machines.
but you’re absolutely right. they are the ones holding the wands. the creation of dear producer, the dpa, and producers united shows that while the system might still try to put an invisibility cloak on them, the community is refusing to wear it anymore. recognizing the own value and demanding that space (whether in festival catalogs or fair compensation) is the only way independent cinema survives.
thank you for being so beautifully candid back then, and for continuing to hold the mirror up to the industry today. producers aren't going anywhere.
Been here in this position so many times. I think it's great that you continue to share and give voice to this seemingly overlooked issue in the industry. Producers matter and the recognition matters too to me.
This was great. Definitely inspired me to keep pushing on my little career 🙏🏻
The feeling of entitlement, rightly so or wrong, is a killer.