Working with Screenwest

DADAA is excited to be part of Screenwest‘s significant diversity initiative, developed in collaboration with the screen industry and other diversity interest groups and resulting in the WA Screen Industry Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap, released in May this year.

Last Thursday, we were delighted to host Screenwest at our Fremantle hub to launch three initiatives, key to delivering on the Roadmap:

  • the Screenwest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan
  • the Screenwest Diversity Fund, and
  • a co-funded internship at ABC Children’s.

DADAA’s Digital Producer Simone Flavelle was also announced to be seconded part-time to Screenwest to help develop and roll out policy, protocols and the Diversity Fund.

At the launch, Screenwest Chair Janelle Marr spoke about the organisation’s commitment to facilitating change within Screenwest and with services offered and outcomes supported.

“Through the Plan, Screenwest will implement a range of processes and activities to widen the talent pool and offer fairer access to the screen industry,” she said.

“We want to inspire greater creativity and authenticity, to introduce new voices and untold stories from across the State, and to grow the audiences watching the content we support.”

Screenwest CEO Ian Booth emphasised the comprehensive nature of the strategy.

“Our aim has been to consult and collaborate widely, by involving all the screen industry players and the community in planning and implementing the Roadmap,” he said.

“I think today’s launch shows part of that broad strategic approach that will make this a sustainable and effective initiative in achieving diversity and inclusion in Western Australian film-making.”

DADAA has a vibrant digital arts program that supports young artists and film-makers with disability to develop film-making stills and share their stories through digital platforms. Executive Director David Doyle is on the Screen Industry Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Group, which is leading and shaping the industry’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. He was part of the team that developed the WA Screen Industry Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap.

“With greater diversity we achieve bigger audiences, stronger community and in an environment of consolidation and shrinking budgets, there has never been a better time for entire community of WA to come together, to make the most of strategic partnerships to tell our stories,” he said.

The Guidelines for the ABC Children’s Internship will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to Screenwest’s Facebook page and/or subscribe to their newsletter.

Image Above: (L-R) Janelle Marr Screenwest Chair, David Doyle DADAA Managing Director, Julianne Goss Australian Broadcasting Corporation National Manager Productions, ABC Studios & Media Production, Georgie McClean AFTRS Head of Strategy and Governance, Rikki Lea Bestall Screenwest Head of Development & Production, Ian Booth Screenwest Chief Executive Officer