Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Class Inequalities within the British Documentary Film Industry

While there is a considerable amount of scholarship and grey literature about social exclusions within the UK cultural industries, the sociology of cultural labour has paid little attention to documentary filmmaking as a relatively elitist occupation that is maintained by systemic inequalities. Based on semi-structured interviews with several independent documentary filmmakers about their own labouring subjectivities, and qualitative analysis of relevant academic literature and cultural policies, this article critically explores how class inequalities are understood, reproduced, negotiated or resisted within contemporary British documentary filmmaking. The research findings demonstrate that documentarians from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to face significant obstacles in the filmmaking sector than their privileged counterparts. While the majority of respondents are aware of structural disadvantages, champion more inclusive forms of creativity and are committed to improving discriminatory working conditions, a small number of participants believe that the social relations of documentary film production are meritocratic, can be characterised by their celebration of neoliberal values and a willingness to defend the industry’s hitherto employment practices. The article concludes with a series of recommendations for creative organisations, government and policymakers.