Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network announces inaugural SDIN Award nominees and appoints co-ordinator
The Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN) has announced nominees for the inaugural annual SDIN Award.
The award has been created to honour Australian producers and projects which have made a significant contribution to diversity and inclusion, either on or off screen, within the Australian screen industry.
The nominees are:
- Neighbours’ first same-sex wedding, by Fremantle Media for Channel Eleven, now 10 Peach
- Little J and Big Cuz, by Ned Lander Media for NITV
- First Day by Epic Films for ABC Me
- Homecoming Queens by Generator Pictures for SBS On Demand
- Matchbox Pictures, with its 2018 slate including Safe Harbour and Mustangs FC.
- Guesswork Television, with its 2018 slate including Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette and Corey White’s Roadmap to Paradise.
The winner of the award will be announced at Screen Forever on Tuesday November 20.
SDIN has also made a Special Commendation, to Western Australia’s Sea Dog International for its bespoke mentorship and skills development program for Jaimen Hudson who is a regionally based drone operator with acquired quadriplegia. The program was specifically designed by Sea Dog and Jaimen. View a clip about Jaimen and his work during the mentorships here.
All SDIN member organisations nominated up to three entries each to create a long list of candidates. The final six nominees have been selected by a panel of judges including Media Diversity Australia’s Marc Fennell, the Chair of the MEAA’s Diversity Committee Bali Padda, Indigenous practitioner Darlene Johnson and director and disability advocate Fiona Tuomy.
SDIN Chair Courtney Gibson congratulated the six nominees, all of whom are being recognised for an exemplary approach to diversity and inclusion on screen and/or in screen production.
In relation to the special commendation Gibson said: “The mentorship designed by Sea Dog and Jaimen Hudson, and funded by SDIN member Screenwest, is an example of how a bespoke approach to creating an opportunity for a single practitioner with disability changes not only the life of that practitioner, but also enables audiences, networks and work environments to open up to working with practitioners with disability more broadly, by shifting perceptions and changing the culture.”
SDIN members include all Australian broadcasters, state and national screen agencies, guilds and business associations as well as MediaRING, FreeTV and AFTRS. SDIN members commit to supporting greater inclusiveness around workforce, talent development, training and partnerships. The SDIN Charter and a full list of members is available at www.sdin.com.au.
SDIN has today also announced that Sonia Mehrmand has been appointed as SDIN co-ordinator.
Sonia was previously co-ordinator for The Screen Diversity Showcase for the Equity Foundation earlier this year. She has also served as Admin and Communications Officer for Diversity Arts Australia, where she assisted with last year’s Beyond Tick Boxes symposium as well as worked on a variety of projects including Creative Lives and Diverse Screens Southwest Sydney. She is also a coordinator for social impact organisations Carnival of the Bold and Digital Storytellers.
Sonia began her new role this week.
“I’m enthusiastic about taking on this new role at SDIN. As someone who identifies as CALD, I’m committed to diversity in all its forms. I recognise the importance of solidarity and intersectionality, and I’m dedicated to working across not only cultural and linguistic diversity but also First Nations, disability, socioeconomic, age, sexuality and gender. I am looking forward now to working with the sector in a new capacity – upholding and carrying out the SDIN charter,” she said.
Courtney Gibson said: “Sonia’s experience, relationships and commitment to realising a more diverse screen sector in Australia makes her a perfect fit in this support role to the SDIN membership, and we’re very happy to have her on board.”
SDIN has also launched its social media channels:
Instagram: @SDINAus
https://www.instagram.com/sdinaus/
Twitter @SDINAus
Facebook: @SDINAus
https://www.facebook.com/SDINAus
Media enquiries:
Tracey Mair, TM Publicity
Ph: 02 8333 9066
SDIN contact:
Sonia Mehrmand
Ph: 2 9805 6661
