Film festivals are a tool of social expression. They are a platform that allows filmmakers to tackle various issues through a creative medium. Here is a list of some film festivals and how they are changing the narrative of the film industry.
30 Under 30 Film Festival
The 30 Under 30 Film Festival was established by Sebastián Rea in 2013. Rea is an Ecuadorian-American filmmaker who studied cinema and political science at SUNY Purchase. The purpose of this festival is to screen 30 films from 30 directors under 30 years of age.
Rea is a Co-Director of the Diversity & Inclusion Film Festival (DIFF), a new addition to the 30 Under 30 festival. They screen films, host panels, and have network parties to connect diverse filmmakers with professionals in the film industry. Sola Fasehun is the founder of DIFF and The Distribution Collective.
Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival
Founded in 2014, the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival aims to create a safe space for filmmakers, storytellers, and actors of diverse backgrounds to share their craft. They highlight diversity among the LGBTQ+ community, race/ethnicity, disability, religion, age, etc.
Sonja Mereu is the festival director. She graduated from UC Davis with a major in Gender Studies and a minor in Film Studies. The LADFF 2022 runs from August 18th-20th, and tickets are available on their website.
Sundance Film Festival
The renowned Sundance Film Festival has a Diversity Initiative that aims to reach new communities of audiences and storytellers. One of the Sundance Institute’s core values is diversity, which dictates much of its work. According to the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, 48% of the directors at the 2019 festival were female.
By expanding its connections to various minority communities, Sundance hopes to inspire a diverse generation of storytellers. Some of their major programs include the Time Warner Fellowship Program, Knights Fellows Project, Feature Film Project, Documentary Film Project, and Indigenous Program.
Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival
The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival was established in 1997 and has introduced audiences to a wide range of work from filmmakers who identify as women of color. The founder, Carolyn A. Butts, has increased the visibility of Latino and African American artists in not only film but also literature and art.
It is the first Academy Qualifying festival. Participating in this film festival opens up many avenues for women of color, such as access to the Oscar Live Action Shorts category.
Women of African, Latino, Indian, Caribbean, and Native American descent have produced, written, and directed many of the films in this festival. Every year they screen about 40-58 films. This festival is a fantastic platform for women of color to network and share their vision with the world. In an industry led mainly by men, these festivals create opportunities for women, especially those of color.
Why Do We Need These Film Festivals?
Film festivals are an integral part of our society and have much to offer regarding art and culture. Our society is flawed for various reasons, but institutions like these help make the world a better place. People of diverse backgrounds share their stories and stories of their people through the medium of film. They open the audience’s eyes to a whole new world, regardless of whether that is beautiful or tragic.
We build connections with people by sharing stories of laughter, love, pain, envy, madness, passion, anger, and so much more. Film makes it easier because people can express themselves in infinite ways.
We all just need someone to hear our story, so will you?
