Dear friends-
A bit over 15 years in the past I had a loopy thought: to strive and begin a dialog asking the place the ladies have been in entrance of the digital camera and behind the scenes in Hollywood. I referred to as my weblog Women and Hollywood as a result of to me, Hollywood is in every single place. My exploration grew right into a calling that I by no means anticipated. It allowed me to journey throughout the globe talking with others who have been passionate about this concern. The work helped start the Athena Film Festival, which is now a full-fledged teenager at 13 years previous.
Fifteen years later, the dialog is absolutely embedded in our tradition and is roofed by mainstream retailers. Women, a few of whom received their begin at Women and Hollywood, are working in all kinds of roles throughout the business. It was not too way back that it was at all times a shock when a collection had a girl director as a part of its season. Now, it’s unacceptable in the event that they don’t. The work shouldn’t be executed, removed from it, however as a way to proceed the revolution, evolution is critical.
It’s time for Women and Hollywood 2.0.
As of April 1, The Women and Hollywood weblog will not be publishing authentic tales. We will preserve the location stay as a result of it has develop into an excellent useful resource, notably for college students of the business.
Have no worry: I’ll nonetheless be launching the reality bombs and amplifying girls’s voices. But will probably be another way. In Her Voice: A Women and Hollywood Podcast will launch in April and will probably be a spot the place I’ll cowl information and interview creatives. I’m excited to get again to speaking to the ladies who’re effecting change and nicely as these whose inventive visions are coming to our screens.
We will proceed the weekly publication of the Women and Hollywood Newsletter of content material by and about girls and non-binary folks opening in theaters and streaming. The Girls Club, our group for ladies and nonbinary creatives to attach and help one another, is flourishing.
Over the years, notably by means of my work within the Creative Development Program on the Athena Film Festival, I’ve realized that I not solely wish to talk about the change that we have to see, however I wish to be part of it. To that finish, I will likely be launching the Creative Doula Program. Part strategic guide, half doula, we would be the inventive advocates for these proficient voices and tasks written by girls or non-binary writers which have girls/women on the middle of the tales.
There are many individuals to thank for the success of Women and Hollywood. First thanks goes to the Dobkin Family Foundation for its continued help. There can be no Women and Hollywood with out the Dobkin Family Foundation. The group – writers, editors, fellows, interns, social media professionals. Nobody does this work alone. I’ve been so fortunate to have individuals who cared concerning the work as passionately as I did, notably Laura Berger, who satisfied me virtually a decade in the past that I wanted an intern and is now in control of every little thing that goes on the location. Everyone who has been part of the work over time has had an immense contribution in conserving girls entrance and middle within the narrative.
I wouldn’t be capable to make this shift if I didn’t consider that I’d completed what I got down to do 15 years in the past. I couldn’t be extra thrilled that the dialog is flourishing and strong and {that a} new era has taken up the mantle and is pushing for extra and extra change. I’m so excited to proceed to be part of this motion.
Onward,
Melissa
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