'Barbie' dominated the box office in 2023, but women in Hollywood faced challenges. The absence of Greta Gerwig's Oscar nomination for best director sparked concerns about gender diversity in the Academy. Despite efforts to increase representation, the percentage of women in the Academy has only grown by one point since 2020. While some branches are predominantly female, others, like cinematography and visual effects, have low female representation. Advocates emphasize the need for gender equality across all branches and faster progress to achieve parity in the industry. The broader ecosystem of the entertainment industry also needs improvement, as evidenced by the low number of women in starring roles in top-grossing films.