WIF and ReFrame are framing this as a celebration of progress while simultaneously calling for action—the guide showcases extraordinary talent across directing, cinematography, and showrunning categories where representation is improving but still lags behind the broader industry.
Insiders note this FYC push comes at a critical moment in Emmy campaigning season—studios and streamers are spending millions on For Your Consideration efforts, and organizations like WIF are ensuring women creatives don't get lost in the noise of bigger marketing budgets.
In 2024-2025, only 26% of narrative television cinematographers were women, nonbinary, or trans people—and at last year's Emmys, just 6% of narrative cinematography nominees were women. Meanwhile, directing showed more promise with 44% of Emmy nominations going to women.
The numbers tell a complicated story—progress exists in some categories but remains painfully slow in others, making these FYC campaigns less about celebration and more about survival for creators working to stay visible in an industry that still hasn't fully opened its doors.
Women in Film (WIF) and ReFrame have joined forces once again to release their annual 'Who to Watch' TV For Your Consideration guide, a comprehensive resource designed to direct Emmy voters toward the women, nonbinary, and trans creators doing groundbreaking work in television's most gender-imbalanced categories. The partnership between these two industry advocacy organizations represents one of the most coordinated pushes during FYC season, with the 2026 guide highlighting talent across directing, cinematography, writing, and showrunning roles.
The data driving this year's initiative is both encouraging and sobering. According to ReFrame's research, in 2024-2025, only 26% of narrative television cinematographers were women, nonbinary, or trans people—and at last year's Emmys, just 6% of narrative cinematography nominees were women. Those numbers stand in stark contrast to the directing field, which showed more promising trends: 36% of narrative television episodes in 2024-2025 were directed by women, nonbinary, or trans people, and 44% of Emmy directing nominees at last year's ceremony were women.
The guide aims to build momentum in categories where progress has stalled. "The Who to Watch TV FYC List is a call to action to awards voters — these directors, writers, cinematographers, composers, and VFX supervisors are doing extraordinary work in categories where gender representation has the furthest to go," said Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of Women in Film, in a statement to Variety. "This list is uniquely powerful because it was built by our community: WIF members, tastemakers, executives, creatives, and actors who know the entertainment industry from the inside." Her message to voters was direct: "See their work.
Champion their shows. And when it's time to vote, remember their names." Among this year's most anticipated candidates are Quinta Brunson for 'Abbott Elementary,' Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky for 'Hacks,' Jenny Han and Sarah Kucserka for 'The Summer I Turned Pretty,' Jess Brownell for 'Bridgerton,' Haley Z. Boston for 'Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen,' Jenni Konner for 'Nobody Wants This,' and Rebecca Perry Cutter for 'The Hunting Wives.' The guide also spotlights cinematographers Catherine Lutes ('It: Welcome to Derry'), Anna Patarakina ('Ponies'), Alicia Robbins ('Bridgerton'), Caroline Costa ('Monster: The Ed Gein Story'), and Johanna Coelho ('The Pitt') as creators deserving serious Emmy consideration.
On the directing side, Jamie Babbit receives recognition for 'Only Murders in the Building,' Lucia Aniello again appears for her work on 'Hacks,' Zetna Fuentes is highlighted for 'Pluribus,' Fawzia Mirza gets a nod for 'Deli Boys,' and Amanda Marsalis is recognized for 'The Pitt.' Additional shows receiving push through the guide include 'All Her Fault,' 'Fallout,' 'Deli Boys,' and 'The Diplomat.' The breadth of talent spans network television, streaming platforms, and emerging series across multiple genres.
The timing of this release coincides with the intensifying Emmy campaign season, when studios spend millions on FYC marketing to ensure their shows and creators remain top-of-mind for voting members of the Television Academy. Advocacy organizations like WIF and ReFrame have become increasingly strategic in their approach, releasing data-driven reports that provide both moral authority and concrete evidence supporting their push for greater inclusion. For many creatives featured in these guides, visibility during this narrow window can determine whether a show gets renewed, a creator gets their next pilot picked up, or an emerging talent gets the opportunity to move into more senior roles.
