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Art & Culture

Cathy Yan Champions Childcare as a Catalyst for Equity in Filmmaking

25 Jul '25
By The Shift

Image by Stephanie Diani

25 Jul '25
By The Shift

Image by Stephanie Diani

The Shift highlights women’s stories through the lens of impact. It hopes to contextualize history and inspire action.

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Cathy Yan is a filmmaker and director known for Birds of Prey and Dead Pigs. With a sharp visual style and boundary-pushing voice, she’s one of Hollywood’s rising auteurs, bringing complex, diverse narratives to the screen.

The Shift:

Who are three women that inspire you?

Cathy:

Michelle Obama

Natalie Portman

Christiane Amanpour

Michelle Obama, Natalie Portman, Christiane Amanpour

The Shift:

As we look to the future, what is one key change or innovation you believe is essential for advancing equality and empowerment in your field?

Cathy:

I believe it’s essential to provide more childcare support for everyone in filmmaking. From paid maternity and paternity leave through all the unions to creative solutions such as a childcare trailer on set, we have to do much better at supporting working families in film.

 

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Cathy Yan is honored as part of The Shift’s “90 Plus One” list, which recognizes influential women shaping contemporary culture. With Gloria Steinem featured on the inaugural print cover, the list pays homage to her 91 years of activism by highlighting a powerhouse community of women shifting culture.