Harvey Weinstein allegations 'watershed' moment for Hollywood, Canadian women in film say

Women in Canada's film industry say allegations against Harvey Weinstein could be a watershed moment for an industry plagued by sexism.

So far, more than 30 women have come forward saying they were sexually harassedor assaultedby the Hollywood producer.

The allegations come from major stars like AngelinaJolie,CaraDelevingneandGwenythPaltrow, and have led a number ofwomen to come forward online, sharingtheir own stories of sexual harassment and callingout colleagues who have turned a blind eye.

"I do feel there is a bit of a movement and women are sick of it," said PatriciaRozema, a Canadian filmmaker who has worked withWeinsteinon a number of films.

She says she hopes the allegations prompt more women to come forward and call out other men in the industry.

"I hope it's a watershed, I hope the Berlin Wall is falling ...I hope many names are spoken."

"There are lots of rumours but nobody knows where to go with the rumours. There's no sort of system in our culture,"Rozemasaid.

More female execs needed

Rozema says there needs to be a change in the power structure in Hollywood if a real change is going to happen.

"Who's behind the camera affects what happens on the camera."

There's not as much room as a woman in our industry for mistakes, because I think you're given one chance as a woman.- NaomiSnieckus, actress

"It will only change when there are more women in the studios as studio heads," she said.

Canadian actress Naomi Snieckus agrees. She says women need more roles as producers, writers and directors, to shift the power dynamic in the industry.

"I think there's not as much room as a woman in our industry for mistakes, because I think you're given one chance as a woman," she said.

"Seeing women not represented in television and movies and those kinds of things, we've just exhausted that possibility."

Where to go with the rumours?

Snieckus says as an actress she's been put in situations that make her feel uncomfortable on many occasions. The challenge, she says, is figuring out how to deal with the situation.

"Misogyny in our community isn't a surprise to anybody," said Snieckus.

"We've been dealing with that in other allegations towards men that have happened and people say 'Oh, well that's just what he does,' and I feel like in 2017 we're just done with that sentiment," she said.

"The tolerance for that has exhausted itself."

She says she'd like to see training for women entering the industry, preparing them with the tools and connections to stand up for themselves.

"More often, when I see something that is going on that I don't agree with, whether it is in a sexist way or a racist way, I'm so dumbfounded that I'm [silenced]." Snieckus said.

• LISTEN: Patricia Rozema talks to Metro Morning about working with Weinstein

"I feel like we need to train ourselves where people are challenging you to come up with good comebacks or come up with good retorts or something that makes you empowered."

Rozema says having these conversations is half the battle, and she hopes the barrage of allegations encourage more women to share their stories.

"Women have to get over this idea that shameful things are done to you so you should not feel shame. The other person should feel shame,"Rozemasaid.