Their mission is to create a more inclusive industry. They are dedicated to assisting the next wave of not only black women identifying filmmakers but creative voices and especially women, gender non-conforming, queer, immigrant, and BIPOC voices. They hope you will be part of the change and support them.
Their organization was founded in the Spring of 2022 by Chris Wairegi, a New York City-based Cinematographer and Camera Operator. Her effort to find women, femmes, and non-binary people of the same background led her to the eventual creation and realization of 600 Black Women. 600 Black Women is a collective of motion picture filmmakers, stills photographers, and publicists who are black women, femmes, and gender expansive people in the IATSE Local 600 guild.
The Business of Creating Institute is an ongoing, live, interactive panel series and Q and A with seasoned Entertainment executives founded by writer/producer Jennifer Mangan and Entertainment executive Michael Fisk. Their mission is to educate and to empower professionals who already possess foundational knowledge by providing up-to-the-minute useful information and practical action steps in order to create, finance, market, sell, and distribute top-quality projects. They foster an educational atmosphere of camaraderie wherein the attendees and panelists are encouraged to network with each other after the event. Panels are free or below-cost in order to ensure equal access for all who wish to learn, grow, and succeed.
Film2Future (F2F) is a nonprofit that delivers professional-level filmmaking programs for under-served teenagers in Los Angeles. Our mission is to diversify the entertainment industry workforce and inspire future filmmakers. Founded in 2016 by Haven Entertainment partner Rachel Miller, F2F empowers a new generation of diverse content creators to share their stories and to obtain paid positions across the entertainment industry. Hollywood executives, legendary filmmakers, and thought leaders from across the entertainment and media landscape volunteer as guest speakers as part of F2F’s intensive, hands-on curriculum. Each F2F student graduates with a creative reel, competitive resume, networking and interview skills, and an industry mentor.
The International Collective of Female⁺ Cinematographers (ICF⁺C) is a collective of professional female cinematographers from around the US and the world, who provide each other with community support and industry advocacy. The ICF⁺C was started in 2015 with the simple concept of increasing the visibility of non-male cinematographers. They formed a collective in which members could launch their own initiatives; creating forums, sharing resources, jobs, and providing mentorship to one another. The ICF⁺C is a group that provides a platform for industry outreach and mutual aid, it is not a business. Members who consistently and reliably step up to volunteer are welcome to take on leadership roles at any time.
In 2018, Bryce Dallas Howard and Nine Muses Entertainment created the Nine Muses Lab, a filmmaking course for multi-hyphenate artists (combinations of actors, writers, directors, and producers).
Through weekly workshops taught by Howard, the Nine Muses Lab aims to bridge the gap between conservatory training and “the real world” by providing a class where students can not only generate their own work, but also build creative community and be exposed to professional projects. In doing so, the Nine Muses Lab helps students develop the skill sets necessary to have sustainable careers as creative collaborators, compelling storytellers, and entertainment entrepreneurs.
Out in Hollywood is a new organization by and for the LGBTQ+ community within the screen industry; they exist to advocate for unproduced LGBTQ+ projects and better the diversity of representation in both film and TV. Founded by working queer producers, studio, and network executives, Out in Hollywood empowers industry creatives, networks, and studios to come together and champion as-yet-untold stories. Their goal is to help connect artists and decision makers with the support they need to bring ideas to life. They will accomplish this through a myriad of strategies that will be launched over the coming year, starting with their Out Loud List. They are led by a board of proudly out executives and producers working within Hollywood.
Academy Award®-winner Cate Blanchett and Emmy® Award-nominee Coco Francini, who are partners in Dirty Films, along with Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, have launched the Proof of Concept Accelerator Program. Supported by Netflix, the program’s goal is to identify the next generation of filmmaking talent whose stories promote the perspectives of women, trans, and non- binary people. Up to eight filmmakers will be selected for the program’s inaugural cohort. Each of these filmmakers will receive $50,000 in funding to create a short film that can serve as “proof of concept” for a feature film or television series. Throughout the process, they will receive one-on-one mentorship and guidance from industry leaders, culminating in a project showcase to spotlight their work.
Founded in 2001, Reel Works serves over 1,600 youth annually from middle school through high school and beyond, developing them as artists and citizens and helping them graduate, get into college, and launch careers in media. Reel Works is the only filmmaking program that matches teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker-mentors to tell their stories and have their voices heard. It’s a powerful combination that changes lives while creating startling and original films that have been seen by millions of viewers worldwide. Through our MediaMKRS workforce development program, we partner with industry leaders, educators and government agencies to create pathways from classrooms to careers for talented early-career professionals to build a more inclusive media workforce.
The Roxie Theater, a San Francisco landmark in the Mission District, brings people together to meet and connect through distinctive cinematic experiences. Guided by the passionate belief that engaging with a movie doesn’t end with the credits, they invite filmmakers, curators, entertainers and educators to interact with their audiences.
The Roxie is one of the oldest continuously operated cinemas in the United States, with its history tracing back to the early 1900s. They provide inspiration and opportunity for the next generation, and serve as a forum for the independent film community reflecting the spirit of the diverse Bay Area population. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.