Of the 376 feature filmmakers who released movies in the last two years – fewer than seven per cent were women.

The Directors Guild of America released the numbers as part of its first Feature Film Diversity Report.

The figures also show that white men comprise more than 82 per cent of the filmmakers – while men of colour make up just over 11 per cent.

The study also shows that women represent just three per cent of directors of big box-office titles.

DGA president Paris Barclay says the guild hopes its report will “draw further attention to this serious matter – so industry employers can develop concrete director diversity plans.”