Last year's Oscars became memorably known for the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. This year they made history with the high number of black winners. If Sunday’s successes are to be more than a one-off though, change needs to happen where the real power lies: behind the camera. And this is still firmly in the hands of white, middle class men.

While the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made high profile moves to increase the numbers of diverse members under fresh leadership, white male dominance in production and direction is a huge barrier to minority ethnic, female and working class entrants.

A new University of Southern California study of 1,000 films made since 2007 reveals male directors outnumber females by 24 to 1. Just 8 per cent were black or Asian. Men direct the bulk of action movies and thrillers, leaving dramas and comedies to women.The lifespan of women’s directorial careers is also limited, with work offers drying up by the time women reach their 60s (men still occupy the director’s chair well into their eighties).