Code: Debugging the Gender Gap

CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap is a 2015 documentary by Robin Hauser Reynolds.[1][2] It focuses on the lack of women and minorities in the field of software engineering.[3] It premiered on April 19, 2015 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.[4] The film focuses on inspiring young girls to pursue careers in computer science by profiling successful women in computer programming, such as, Danielle Feinberg of Pixar, Aliya Rahman of Code for Progress, and Julie Ann Horvath. By profiling and displaying the careers of these women, the film makers hope to show that computer science can be creative, lucrative, and rewarding.[5]

CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap
Directed byRobin Hauser Reynolds
Production
company
Finish Line Features
Release date
  • April 19, 2015 (2015-04-19) (Tribeca Film Festival)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film traces the history of women in the U.S. technology industries, from the work of Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, and the women of ENIAC. It then follows the decline of women graduates in mathematics and computer science during the 1980s, linking the phenomenon to the release of the 1983 film WarGames, and a cultural shift that depicted men and boys as technology workers, and increasing hostility for women and girls in the tech industries.[6] Additionally, the film highlights the work of women in the field, by featuring interviews with women in the tech industry, such as Kimberly Bryant (founder of Black Girls Code), Debbie Sterling (founder of GoldieBlox), Maria Klawe (president of Harvey Mudd College), and Danielle Feinberg (director of photography at Pixar).[7]

Fundraising

Funding for the film was partially raised via Indiegogo and Reynolds was able to successfully receive additional funding from corporations like CapitalOne, MasterCard, Ericsson, NetApp, Qualcomm, and Silicon Valley Bank.[8][9]

Reception

The general reception of the film by popular press has been positive. Stephen Cass of IEEE Spectrum, stated of the film: "Code doesn't have all the answers, of course. But ultimately, it does make a good case that everyone should think deliberately about diversity in their hiring."[6] Some criticism has focused on the apparent lack of attention paid to the Gamergate controversy, and the work and experience of women in the gaming industries.[6]

Graham Winfrey of Inc. magazine wrote, "CODE makes a compelling case that the lack of women in tech poses a significant threat to America's future."[10]

Awards

References
  1. Oliver, Marie Elizabeth (2015-05-12). "11 questions for Robin Hauser Reynolds, director of the CODE documentary". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  2. Soll, Megan. "Tribeca 2015: 'CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap' Doc Hits Hard at the Tech Industry". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  3. McCue, Matt. "A new documentary shows what happens when there aren't enough women in tech". Fortune. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  4. della Cava, Marco. "Why women won't code is topic of new documentary". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  5. "DIRECTOR'S THOUGHTS | CODE documentary". www.codedoc.co. Archived from the original on 2016-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  6. Cass, Stephen (19 June 2015). "A Review of Code: Debugging the Gender Gap". IEEE Spectrum. IEEE. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  7. Golod, Amy (2015-04-20). "'CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap' Debuts at Tribeca Film Festival". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  8. Reprints, Claire Suddath clairesuddath. "Girl Code". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  9. "SPONSORS | CODE documentary". www.codedoc.co. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  10. Winfrey, Graham. "'CODE': How America Keeps Women Out of Tech". Inc. Mansueto Venture. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  11. "'Room' Declared Audience Award Favorite at 38th Mill Valley Film Festival". Indiewire. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
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