Sponsored Post: ACTRA Toronto Raise Awareness About Diversity in the Casting Process
Culture & Lifestyle Sep 09, 2015
ACTRA Toronto and HangLoose Media will be teaming up to raise awareness of diversity in movies, film, TV, radio and web media with their invite-only Studio Film District Party on September 15. ANOKHI MEDIA is a proud media partner for the event.
ACTRA Toronto is a national institution for actors and creative professionals. ACTRA Toronto’s jurisdiction includes all of Ontario outside the National Capital Region and represents over 15,000 of ACTRA’s 22,000 members.
It's an initiative that's been long in the making for Farah Merani, ACTRA's Diversity Committee co-chair, who is excited to join partying forces with ACTRA's other committees like the Young Emerging Actors Assembly and ACTRA Toronto Women's Committee.
Photo Credit: Farah Merani
"We decided to join forces to do one together and also include the ACTRA Toronto Women's Committee. Three times stronger and three times bigger. We each selected members to spearhead the event and they have done an amazing job at bringing major partners on board, including our principal partners, HangLoose Media. This party is going to be major, one of the most coveted invite lists in town," Merani said.
Merani has been co-chair of the Diversity Committee, alongside Sedina Fiati, since February 2014. She's an actor and producer who's enjoyed success across the globe, appearing in productions at Shakespeare’s Globe, the Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow, The Old Vic, and Toronto’s Factory Theatre. Her TV and film credits include Nikita, Lost Girl, Covert Affairs, and The Listener. The committe is committed to showcasing the culturally diverse artistic community within the film and television industry and is regularly involved with initiatives like the Casting Diversity database, which is a project close to Merani.
"It's a Database of self-identifying diverse ACTRA members from across the country that producers, casting directors and other industry professionals have access to as they cast their projects. We also hold a number of industry networking events and member educational sessions. These include our annual industry speed-dating event, casting director workshops and more," said Merani.
Photo Credit: Sarena Parmar
Raising awareness about this large community of actors has been a passion for Sarena Parmar, the party's co-spearhead organizer. She's an actress and writer who's appeared in How to be Indie, Suits, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Flashpoint, The Border and many more projects. She's also witnessed the striking changes in the diversity of actors in the media.
"There are so many more diverse performers entering the business than when I started out, especially South Asian actors. Every time I go to an audition, there are so many new faces, and that is exciting to me! It means diverse people are starting to see themselves reflected on screen, and believe there is a place for them in the industry.
"We still have a long way to go: more diversity in leading roles, moving away from culturally-stereotypical characters, fostering diversity behind the camera. But in these emerging talents, I see hope," said Parmar.
Both Merani and Parmar are excited for the party, which will celebrate ACTRA's amazing and versatile talents, and they encourage partygoers to use the hashtag #ActraGetsLoose.
Feature Photo Credit: ACTRA
Rumnique Nannar
Author
Rumnique Nannar is a new journalist with a passion for all things pop culture, film, and art. Rumnique was born in London, with a predilection for devouring English chocolate with her Vogue, ANOKHI, and Glamour magazines in tow. She is currently in her Journalism Masters at UBC. Connect ...
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