Creating space for conversation this International Women’s Day

Sneha Bhula, People and Culture Manager, brought together women and non-binary members of the studio for an open conversation about their experiences working in visual effects, creating space to share perspectives from across different roles, backgrounds and stages of their careers.

“There was no pressure for anyone to participate,” Sneha explains. “People were welcome to simply listen if that felt more comfortable – but everyone ended up joining the conversation.”

With the team representing a wide range of roles and experiences, the discussion created an opportunity to reflect on both the progress being made in the industry and the realities people continue to navigate in their careers.

Looking at the numbers

As part of the session, Sneha shared some industry statistics to help frame the conversation.

Globally, women make up around 27% of the VFX workforce, with representation in senior leadership roles sitting between 11–16.5%.

At Cause and FX, the picture looks different. Today, 39% of the studio’s workforce identifies as female or unspecified gender, while 50% of senior leadership roles are held by women.

“We wanted to understand where we sit in relation to the wider industry,” says Sneha. “It’s encouraging to see the balance improving, particularly among younger professionals entering the field.”

Across the industry there appears to be a stronger gender balance emerging in younger age groups working in visual effects. If recruitment and retention patterns continue, the ratio across the wider workforce is likely to improve as those professionals move into more senior roles.

What support looks like in practice

One of the strongest themes to emerge from the discussion was the importance of workplace culture.

Several participants spoke about the value of feeling comfortable bringing their full selves to work.

“Here it’s a place where you can bring your whole self to work. You don’t have to hide any part of yourself,” one team member shared.

Others highlighted the collaborative nature of the studio’s culture.

“Our culture enables us to fail fast and there is no blame. Everyone just wants to help.”

Mental wellbeing and work-life balance also came up throughout the conversation.

“Our team is so supportive, you don’t have to be a robot. If you aren’t feeling on top of your game people are there to support you.”

Participants also spoke about the reassurance of knowing they can take leave when needed, confident their work will be supported by the wider team.

The challenges still being navigated

While there was a strong sense of support within the studio, the conversation also touched on some of the pressures women continue to experience across the broader industry.

Many participants spoke about the challenge of balancing career progression with parenting responsibilities. Time away from the workforce can sometimes mean missed opportunities while colleagues who remain in full-time roles continue to advance.

Others reflected on communication styles in professional environments, and how direct communication from women can sometimes be perceived differently.

The group also heard about the importance of respecting pronouns and advocating for colleagues when mistakes occur.

“These conversations are important,” Sneha says. “They help build understanding and ensure people feel supported in their identity and experiences at work.”

Continuing the conversation

One of the most positive outcomes from the session was the desire to continue the initiative beyond International Women’s Day.

Our team suggested creating regular opportunities for team members to come together, share experiences and support one another.

“Why limit these conversations to one day of the year?” Sneha reflects. “There’s real value in continuing to create spaces where people can connect and support each other.”

For Cause and FX, the session became a reminder that progress in the industry isn’t just about representation in numbers, but about building environments where people feel supported, heard and able to do their best work.

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