Europe Council Chair,
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Having completed postgraduate studies and teaching film and TV at undergraduate level, the BFI has given Melanie the opportunity to use these skills in a contemporary industry context. She completed a BFI research project to historically map ethnic diversity in onscreen representation in UK film for the Black Star season at the BFI Southbank in 2016, ground-breaking research and data methodology which was written up in a piece and Sight & Sound Magazine and an academic collection of essays called Black Film, British Cinema II. In her role as Director of Inclusion at the BFI, Melanie advocates for increased access and equity in the UK film sector, leading through strategic intervention and implementation as well as consulting and collaborating with global partners to embed diversity and inclusion into policy and practice. She believes in working with and providing equitable opportunities for persistently marginalised communities and celebrating and highlighting talent. Melanie is a BAFTA and EFA member and also sits on various Boards and committees (EWA and The Film and Television Charity’s Inclusivity Committee), is the Europe Council Lead for the Geena Davis Institute and co-editor of the Black Film Bulletin section in Sight and Sound magazine.
