Where is the figure of the woman director? Podcasts as a way of developing references

Abstract

Cinema is a key symbolic and pedagogical tool in contemporary cultural socialization. In the context of increasingly diversified audiovisual consumption, this study proposes an analysis of Spanish-language film podcasts—an expanding format with low entry barriers and potential for greater diversity. Using a database of podcasts focused on film criticism and recommendations, the study examined the films mentioned to identify discursive patterns. The results reveal a strong presence of U.S. cinema and a focus on films from the 1980s and 1990s, though there is no absolute homogeneity in the recommendations. A significant finding is the low visibility of women in authorial roles, particularly as directors. This systematic omission limits the presence of female role models and reinforces a male-dominated view of film authorship. As a result, it hinders the development of a more inclusive and diverse cinematic canon within the communicative ecosystem represented by these podcasts.