Women, Diversity, and Changing the Story in Film
By: Joni Boyd
We recently sat down with powerhouse casting director Anousha Zarkesh, to discover how much things are really changing for women in film and TV.
Anousha has a front-row seat to the shift happening behind the scenes.
“Women are now head of television, they’re producers, they’re head of network,” ssays Anousha.
Platforms like Netflix and Amazon are putting more women in leadership, and the stories being told are richer and more relatable because of it.
But there’s still work to do, especially when it comes to women over 40.
Thankfully, more female writers and directors are pushing back — creating stories that show women at every stage of life as complex, vibrant, and real.
According to Anousha, authentic representation is another big focus.
“You have to cast authentically. It’s a lived experience,” Anousha says.
And she’s not just talking about ticking boxes — she’s committed to finding real talent in remote communities and giving voice to diverse lived experiences.
Shows like Redfern Now and Mystery Road are proof of how powerful storytelling can be when it’s grounded in authenticity.
This matters more than ever, Anousha believes and explains that when different voices are given space behind the scenes, the entire storytelling landscape changes; we get narratives that feel real, characters we recognize, and experiences that resonate way beyond the screen.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Canva
About the Author: Joni Boyd is a writer, based in the Hawkesbury Region of NSW. She is passionate about the power of stories shared, to transform lives.
