Due to the Greater Philadelphia Film Office's status as a quasi-government agency, posting job opportunity requests on our Web site for "people of color" could lead to litigation.

So, GPFO asked filmmakers to voluntarily identify their minority status on the application for GPFO's annual Film & Video Production Guide. But the number of responses was depressing.

I asked minority filmmakers I know to provide resumes of film-production professionals of color, but didn't get many responses. Nor were many names obtained at events co-hosted by GPFO and organizations with diverse memberships.

I've come to the conclusion that there simply aren't many multicultural film professionals in this region who are ready to be hired on a major production.

But in a city as diverse as Philadelphia, the question is why. Perhaps it is a result of insufficient access to training.

Occasionally, I receive requests from filmmakers to help them hire multicultural crew and, sadly, I cannot find people with production credits.

To help correct this problem, GPFO is holding a Diversity in Filmmaking panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. May 20 in the Black Box of the Prince Music Theater. Anyone interested should attend.

This is the beginning of a long journey on the road to improving diversity in a growing industry in this city. I believe there is room for everyone in the film industry. The more diverse the crew, the more dynamic the film.

Nicole Ross

Director
Marketing & Multicultural Affairs
Greater Philadelphia Film Office