About CNTRST
CNTRST began in 2016 as a small dataset tracking the casting diversity of wide-release films. The first version of the project measured the percentage of white actors in the main cast of every film grossing over ten million dollars at the box office. The numbers were uncomfortable, and they generated more conversation than we expected.
Ten years on, the project still has the same simple mission: gather publicly available casting and crew data, run the same analyses every year, and publish what the numbers say. We do not editorialise the data. We do try, occasionally, to explain it.
Who runs CNTRST
The project is currently maintained by , an independent film researcher based in Utrecht. Maya started contributing to the dataset in 2019 and took over editorial responsibility for the site in 2024. She does not work for any studio, streaming platform, or industry trade body. The project is unaffiliated with any organisation and runs on roughly twelve euros a month in hosting bills.
What we cover
The current scope of CNTRST is:
- Wide-release theatrical films from the major studios and their subsidiaries
- Original series and films released on the largest streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+)
- A growing selection of international productions, focused on European cinema with English subtitling available
The dataset records casting demographics for the main cast (typically the top five to seven billed roles), the writers' room composition where credits are public, and the director's identity. We do not track minor roles, voice work, or uncredited contributions — we do not have the resources to do that responsibly.
How to read what we publish
Every article on CNTRST is a snapshot. The data is current to the publication date and may shift as additional films are added or corrected. If you spot an error — and you sometimes will — we genuinely appreciate the email.
Contact: cntrst at protonmail dot com