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Continued Exclusion of BIPOC Deaf Filmmakers at Sundance 2024



Public Notice regarding concern about the continued exclusion of BIPOC Deaf Filmmakers at Sundance

Our episodic pilot, “What Somalia Wants”, which is my 10th submission did not make the cut for the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. https://vimeo.com/821849059


Two members from the Deaf Talent®️ Creative Lab (DTCL) session took part in the 48-Hour Film Challenge and submitted their films for consideration under the short film category: “Dexsmona: A Silent Story” and “Darren.” Both fillms also did not make the cut.


Here’s an an ongoing problem we need to call to attention. Sundance is celebrating its 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival next year. 


Deaf Talent® Media & Entertainment Consulting (DTMEC hosted a panel, entitled “Unconscious Bias: BIPOC Deaf Creators Reframing the Narrative at the Script Development Table & Behind the Camera at Sundance in January 2022. The panel was well received and stressed the need to address this important topic about bias. DTMEC’s main purpose is to promote all types of inclusive efforts in the film, television, technology, and media industries. 


DTMEC was founded by Jade Bryan is celebrating a milestone: 30th anniversary in the film/entertainment business. Throughout my career since I graduated from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, I’ve been proud to witness the growth and have paved the way for others—both Deaf actors and filmmakers. As the first Black Deaf filmmaker, my work impacted and inspired many creators—Deaf and hearing alike.


Now that there are more BIPOC people working behind the scenes and seeing ourselves on the screen via acting opportunities (usually supporting). However, that is still not enough. We still do not have any BIPOC Deaf creators telling our stories in film and television. Despite the new disability initiatives that Hollywood promised to implement, we are still being left out of the development of products and promotion of talent. Speaking of talent and the importance of representation, BIPOC Deaf creatives and their audiences are an untapped market, as evidenced here: https://www.deaftalent-entertainment.com/deaftalentdata.


To help BIPOC Deaf creators and creatives have the resources and tools to help tell and represent their stories, I established the Deaf Talent® Creative Lab (DTCL) program this year, designed to assist in furthering Deaf People of Color’s success in the entertainment industry and developing a pathway to gainful employment for them. DTCL’s partners for the inaugural session this past summer were Amazon Studios and AMC Networks. 


See the Variety Magazine article: https://variety.com/2023/film/news/amazon-studios-amc-networks-partner-support-deaf-creatives-of-color-exclusive-1235629990/
















































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