African film-makers are pushing for women's empowerment. While more women are following careers in TV and film, the industry is still dominated by men. One foundation is training and mentoring women film-makers and connecting them with others worldwide. The discussion moved forward at the Johannesburg leg of TV and film market Discop, currently underway in South Africa. CGTN's Sumitra Nydoo reports.

In Hollywood, the film capital of the world, women account for just 3% of teams working on the top 250 grossing films in 2017. The numbers are estimated to be even lower in Africa. The Ladima Foundation is laying the groundwork to change this. It's compiling an A-list database of female film professionals.

LARA UTIAN-PRESTON CO-FOUNDER, LADIMA FOUNDATION "We've got over a thousand women from I think it's over 39 African countries that are already signed up on the list. So, anyone doing production whether it's for TV, they're looking for a news presenter, whatever it is."

EDIMA OTUOKON CO-FOUNDER, LADIMA FOUNDATION "So, that list just makes it, gives an opportunity for women to be found, and for them to be able to use their craft which is the most important thing. You can't just go to film school and learn something and then not be able to utilise it. It's a waste of talent and time."

Women work hard to earn a place at the table in many industries. The film sector is no different -- females have been oppressed through the ages, and gender inequality persists.

LARA UTIAN-PRESTON CO-FOUNDER, LADIMA FOUNDATION "So, on a structural level, it's things like childcare, like on set or women's really access to toilets on sets that are safe. Obviously, there's the sexual harassment issue, there's also the cultural issues where there's a strong religious imperative for women not to put themselves forward to be strong in their careers."

SUMITRA NYDOO JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA "Ladima already has a few pilot projects running in East and West Africa to help teach young women, especially cinematography, where skills are lacking."

EDIMA OTUOKON CO-FOUNDER, LADIMA FOUNDATION "So, we're saying for example in West Africa, in the next 3-4 years, we'd like a situation where we have a thousand professionally trained cinematographers. So, like having the film schools that we want to start in Nigeria for instance, across the Federal Government Girl's colleges, that's an initiative that will help us do that."

SOPHIA MGAZA PRODUCER, AZAM MEDIA "It's very necessary and it's very important for TV content because with Ladima, first of all, they do training for women producers, writers, directors. So, by the training, we get to know so many stuff that we couldn't know if there's a story to tell."

The foundation has also launched an app for women in the industry to stay connected, keep up to date with new developments and find employment opportunities. SN, CGTN, JHB, SA.