LOS ANGELES, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Diversity among feature film directors remained low in 2017, a U.S. directors association said in a study released on Thursday.

The study by the Director Guild of America (DRA) said little change in employment hiring had been made across the feature film landscape.

For the first time, the DGA examined an expanded data set that encompassed the 651 feature films that were released theatrically in the United States last year, including those that earned less than 250,000 U.S. dollars at the box office.

According to the study, of the 651 features released in 2017, 175 U.S.- produced films earned a minimum box office of 250,000 dollars. Documentaries, animations and re-releases are not included in this study.

In addition, male and white directors occupy an overwhelming majority among those who directed the 175 feature films, with only 12 percent of the 181 directors being women.

During the 2013-17 period, the percentage of women directors in feature films range from 6 to 12 percent, the study found. Taking into account all the U.S.-produced feature films released in 2017, women only accounted for 16 percent of directors, the study said.

The study also highlighted ethnic inequality. Of the 145 directors of DGA-signatory features released domestically in 2017 with a minimum box office of 250,000 dollars, just 10 percent were directors of color. It's down three percentage points from the previous year, and seven percentage points from the five-year high of 17 percent in 2013.

"It's outrageous that we're once again seeing such a lack of opportunity for women and people of color to direct feature films. Our new study shows that discriminatory practices are still rampant across every corner of the feature film business," said DGA President Thomas Schlamme.

"These numbers hit home how the chips are stacked against women and people of color," he said.

"From financing and hiring, to distribution and agent representation - every aspect of the entire system disadvantages women and people of color," he added.

"Change is long overdue," continued Schlamme. "Inclusion is a fight we've been fighting with the industry for four decades now, and it's been an uphill battle to get them to change their hiring practices."