The Alliance of Independent Representatives (AIR) has announced the commencement of its highly anticipated 3rd Annual Unsigned Diverse Directors Showcase, scheduled for May 20, 2024.
Powered by AIR’s Diversity in Talent Committee and generously sponsored by video sharing and reel building platform, Simian, this event is poised to spotlight emerging talent and diverse perspectives within the advertising industry.
Director submissions are now open, with a deadline set for May 1, 2024. Aspiring directors from underrepresented backgrounds who are not currently signed to established commercial production companies or post houses are encouraged to apply. For submission guidelines and entry details, interested applicants can visit the AIR website or access the dedicated showcase entry submission page.
This showcase offers a remarkable opportunity for unsigned directors to showcase their exceptional work to executive producers and independent representatives within the advertising commercial production community. Submissions are invited from directors identifying as women, AAPI, Black, BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQ+, or persons with disabilities.
The Diverse Judging Committee will select five directors to have their work spotlighted virtually at the showcase on May 20th. In addition to the exposure, the five showcase finalists will be awarded access to Jordan Brady’s online Commercial Directing Masterclass, along with a bonus course, courtesy of True Gentleman and Commercial Directing Film School.
REELated:
“Championing diverse directors and bringing their work to the forefront emphasizes how integral they are to shaping our advertising landscape,” says Dani Jackson-Smith, Founder of The Cre8tors and the newly appointed Chair of AIR’s DIT Committee, which also includes Sonia Blum and Ally Khajenouri of Sonia Reps, Mary Saxton of Saxton Presents and Sarah Gitersonke of SG+ Reps. “We urge our industry to be without excuse and join us in taking action towards true inclusivity.”
Now in its third year, AIR’s DIT committee has expanded programming by collaborating with diverse community organizations, including Free The Work, ADCOLOR, and Creative Cypher, to further enhance the Unsigned Diverse Director Showcase’s impact.
Says Jackson, “This is one of several initiatives that our committee is undertaking to create meaningful change and address the overall lack of diversity in the advertising and production industries.”
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