The film industry is undergoing a massive diversity push following #OscarsSoWhite.
Following this year’s controversial Oscars, many film production companies and organizations are launching new programs in order to support diversity and inclusion in the film industry.
With the backlash prior to this year’s Oscars regarding its all-white list of acting nominees, the Academy committed to making radical changes to its membership which also control major decisions across the entire film industry.
But in the past 12 months, major studios have started hiring staff dedicated to addressing diversity in the workforce while programs such as Warner Bros’ recently announced Emerging Film Directors Workshop will aim to bring underrepresented talented to the front of the film industry.
Earlier this week the National Film Board of Canada announced a historic budget to support gender equality by allocating 50% of production funding to films directed by women.
In the UK, the BFI announced a $3.6 million initiative for emerging filmmakers in the early stages of their careers in hopes that the money will support, “a new generation of diverse ambitious film producers.”
While there are big challenges to address the lack of minorities and women in the film industry, recent developments and the #OscarsSoWhite controversy may have created a generation of filmmaking or at least a new sense of urgency to help talent from different backgrounds access opportunities throughout the film industry.
