Cady McClain's 'Seeing is Believing: Women Direct' Taps "I Believe in Unicorns" Director Leah Meyerhoff as Executive Producer

Cady McClain, Leah Meyerhoff

As the World Turns and All My Children Emmy winner Cady McClain's debut documentary, Seeing is Believing: Women Direct has signed on Leah Meyerhoff, director of the award-winning and critically acclaimed I Believe in Unicorns and founder of Film Fatales, as an executive producer.

McClain has spent the past year traveling the globe, speaking to female directors of film and television and documenting their stories. The outcome is a serialized documentary, providing insider access to the skills and tools needed to succeed as a woman in the directing field.

When only 1.9% of the top 100 films are directed by women, it is a symptom of a larger problem: an ingrained cultural bias against women’s ability to lead. McClain believes the best way to create change is to show proof that the bias is based on outdated and false ideas.

Considering all aspects of the directing experience, the series will show how these women drive through obstacles creative, cultural, and professional. The documentary is also intended to serve as peer-to-peer mentorship for anyone of any gender looking for guidance and real world experience as they pursue their dreams of becoming a visual storyteller.

An Indiegogo campaign for Seeing is Believing: Women Direct has recently successfully met and surpassed its $50,000 goal with 566 backers. These funds are fully tax deductible due to not-for-profit sponsorship thanks to The Film Collaborative. All funds will be used for post-production needs.

“I believe the best way to create change is to show proof that the bias is based on outdated and false ideas,” said McClain. “We are thrilled to have Leah Meyerhoff onboard, who through her organization Film Fatales and her own personal efforts, has been at the forefront of the fight for recognition and parity for female directors. We know she will be a powerful advocate in helping us get more information and inspiration out to the world community!”

“To tell the stories of the world, filmmakers must better reflect the composition of the world,” said Meyerhoff. “There is no lack of talented female directors out there, only a lack of opportunities. By raising the visibility of women directors this project will expose audiences to voices that often go unheard and empower the next generation of female filmmakers. We can be the change that we believe in. I am honored to be a part of Seeing is Believing: Women Direct.”

The nearly 50 interviewees include: Sarah Gavron (Suffragette, Brick Lane), Meera Menon (Equity), Oscar winner Lee Grant (Down and out in America), Lesli Linka Glatter (EP/Director, Homeland), Betty Thomas (highest grossing female director: The Brady Bunch Movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeekquel) Bethany Rooney (200+ hours primetime TV & co-author of "Directors Tell the Story"), Lizzie Borden (Born In Flames, Working Girls (Sundance Jury Prize), two-time Oscar-winner Sarah Kernochan (documentaries: Marjoe, Thoth), Emmy-winner Anne Makepeace (I. M. Pei: Building China Modern, Robert Capa in Love and War), Rusudan Glurdijdze (Karlovy Vary winner: House of Others), Marianna Palka (Good Dick, and the upcoming Bitch), Nicole Conn (lesbian genre films: A Perfect Ending, Elena Undone), producer Deborah Del Prete (Oddlot: Ender’s Game, The Spirit), plus John Wells (ER, West Wing), Mike Robin (Major Crimes), and many more.

The producing team includes: Kate Super (Director, Women on the Edge), Amanda Quinn Olivar (Board member, The Chimaera Project), Kimberly McCullough (Director, Pretty Little Liars), Jon Lindstrom (Director, How We Got Away With It) and Li Lu (Director, There Is a New World Somewhere).

To learn more about Seeing is Believing: Women Direct, visit seeingisbelievingwomendirect.com.