'Cameraperson' director Kirsten Johnson
Google has announced a partnership with Miami Dade College's Miami International Film Festival on a new seminar series that aims to address a lack of diversity in technical filmmaking roles such as cinematography.
"Google has changed the world of technology and information in swift and radical ways," said the Festival’s executive director and director of programming Jaie Laplante.
"Who better to lead a new charge at changing long-standing gender and racial inequalities in the world of film and technology? We are incredibly honored that Google has chosen Miami International Film Festival as a forum to discuss solutions and inspire new filmmakers wanting to scale the heights of their chosen profession."
The Google Seminar Series on Gender and Racial Gaps In Film and Tech will take place over four days, March 5 – 8.
Among the highlights of the series will be veteran cinematographer Kirsten Johnson (Citizenfour, The Invisible War), who will screen her feature memoir, Cameraperson, set to world premiere at Sundance Film Festival later this month.
“Our research shows that when it comes to encouraging women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in computer science and other technical fields, positive role models matter, which makes the work of the film industry so powerful,” said Google CS Education in Media Program Manager Julie Ann Crommett.
“We’re thrilled to support the Seminar Series on Gender and Racial Gaps In Film and Tech to shed light on this important issue and inspire more creators to showcase positive portrayals of women and underrepresented minorities in tech.”
The Festival also announced 21 additional features for the 2016 program, including AFTRS grad Megan Riakos' murder-mystery thriller Crushed.