SLMBR PRTY Teams up with MiFilm and Johannes Leonardo for an Event Elevating New Talent

SLMBR PRTY and MiFilm partnered up to present 'Diversity Behind The Lens,' a community event spotlighting select up-and-coming directors in the commercial space. Brittany Franklin, founder and president of MiFilm (Minorities in Film), moderated the panel of BIPOC and disabled creatives who shared their knowledge and spoke to the importance of community and self-determination within their respective career journeys. 

The event, which took place on October 24th of this year, was a long time in the making. 'Diversity Behind The Lens' saw MiFilm blending its robust network with SLMBR PRTY, a production company with an ongoing mission to promote access and opportunities to the film industry for women and gender non-conforming people. MiFilm, a community organisation dedicated to increasing equity, inclusion, and representation in film for BIPOC and Disabled Directors, shares a similar mission to SLMBR PRTY; this partnership was both inevitable and necessary. 

"This event was a catalyst for change, gathering Black, Latino, and Disabled Directors who have long deserved a platform, says Brittany Franklin, founder and president of MiFilm. “Our goal was to showcase the emergence of a new era of talent powered by communities that fiercely love and support them. It's amazing to see once marginalised voices being amplified with the help of agencies and production companies, creating a more diverse landscape in advertising that champions our unique differences." 

Hosted by creative agency Johannes Leonardo, 'Diversity Behind The Lens' panellists Alaa Zabra, Brandon Haynes, Jacarrea Garraway, and Luis Santos delved into how they broke into the field, the catalytic events that got them started, deciding factors when choosing which jobs to take, honing your directorial style, and balancing client needs with that of your own, among other vital knowledge. Experiences on set as diverse and disabled filmmakers are rife with a lack of knowledge and accessibility, making events like these crucial for creating sustainable and equitable working environments. 

Regarding the necessity of events like these, SLMBR PRTY director of film and community programs Carly Reicho says, “The first barrier to entry with the industry is often information - needing to know the industry’s intricacies, how it functions, and where to start. Hearing first hand from directors who have recently broken into the commercial space was particularly illuminating for creatives looking to make that leap themselves. Building direct relationships within these spaces is crucial, so creating an opportunity with MiFilm for both of our communities to convene at a leading creative agency, such as Johannes Leonardo, felt like a helpful stepping stone.”

Nana-Saa Kessie, public relations associate at Johannes Leonardo adds, “When Brittany first came to me about hosting this program, I instantly knew that it had to be more than just another presentation or screening. We have become alarmingly desensitised, and as a result efforts to elevate underrepresented talent have proven to be inconsistent throughout the industry. Until the problem is solved, I truly believe that you can never have enough discussions about diversity, equity and inclusion. There is power in storytelling, and it is imperative that we continue to maintain conversations like these within our ether, in order to be responsible with the art we share with the world. Each panellist was unapologetic about their art, and why they do what they do. Their adoration for the craft was truly refreshing and infectious.”