On August 3, 2021, the Geena Davis Institute hosted a landmark virtual event unveiling their inaugural study on Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation in the highest-grossing family films in the U.S. This significant research, coupled with a comprehensive survey of API entertainment content creators, aims to drive progress toward more authentic representations in media. The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists, each bringing unique insights and expertise to the discussion.
Speakers and Panelists
- Geena Davis - Academy Award-Winning Actor, Founder and Chair, Geena Davis Institute
- Madeline Di Nonno - President and CEO, Geena Davis Institute
- Jennifer Suh - Former Senior Manager, Industry Outreach, Geena Davis Institute
- Bing Chen - President and Co-Founder, Gold House
- Michelle Sugihara - Executive Director, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE)
- Dr. Ninochka McTaggart - Former Associate Vice President, Research and Insights, Geena Davis Institute
- Margaret Cho - Comedian, Actor, Musician, Advocate, and Entrepreneur
- Craig Robinson - EVP and Chief Diversity Officer, NBCUniversal
- Christopher Kahunahana - Filmmaker and Award-Winning Artist
- Christina M. Kim - Executive Producer & Co-Showrunner, Kung Fu
- Jane Lee - Manager of Original Animated Series, Netflix
- Fawzia Mirza - Writer, Creator, Director, and Actor
Event Highlights
- Opening Remarks: The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from Jennifer Suh, who emphasized the importance of the study in light of the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.
- Geena Davis’s Address: Geena Davis shared her unwavering support for the initiative and stressed the need for diverse and accurate representation in the media.
- Insights from Gold House and CAPE: Bing Chen and Michelle Sugihara highlighted their organizations' contributions and the significance of their collaboration with the institute.
- API Representation Report: Dr. Ninochka McTaggart and Michele Meyer presented the detailed findings of the API representation report, showcasing data and insights from the study.
- Margaret Cho’s Perspective: A video from Margaret Cho provided a personal and impactful commentary on the state of API representation.
- Panel Discussion: Craig Robinson moderated a dynamic panel featuring Christopher Kahunahana, Christina M. Kim, Jane Lee, and Fawzia Mirza, who discussed their experiences and the broader implications of the study’s findings.
- Audience Q&A: The session concluded with a robust Q&A segment, where attendees engaged directly with the speakers and panelists.
Key Takeaways
- Importance of Representation: Accurate and diverse representation of API individuals in media is crucial for combating stereotypes and fostering inclusion.
- Data-Driven Advocacy: The comprehensive data from the study provides a solid foundation for advocating for better representation in the entertainment industry.
- Collaboration is Key: Partnerships between organizations like Gold House, CAPE, and the Geena Davis Institute are essential for driving meaningful change.
Actionable Insights
- Content Creators: Incorporate more authentic API characters and stories in media projects to reflect the diversity of the community accurately.
- Industry Leaders: Utilize the data from the study to inform decision-making processes and prioritize diversity in casting and storytelling.
- Advocacy and Outreach: Support initiatives and organizations that promote accurate representation and work toward creating an inclusive media landscape.
The event underscored the need for ongoing efforts to ensure that media reflects the true diversity of its audience, and it set the stage for future initiatives aimed at enhancing API representation in the entertainment industry.
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