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This guide provides a first step to discovering films and film scholarship by diverse voices and provides resources for filmmakers from diverse groups and communities. "Diverse" in this guide is defined as voices from underrepresented communities in film industry and scholarship, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); LGBTQ+ folks; Deaf people and people with disabilities; women; and international cultures. It is not comprehensive and does not attempt to represent every community. Instead, it provides a few research strategies along with some key resources.
It is important while starting such research not to tokenize the filmmakers you learn about. Instead, ask yourself why you are researching these voices. A couple of reasons to seek diverse resources include:
Remember these scholars and filmmakers are all individuals whose contributions should be viewed as such.
Click the tabs to the left to start exploring diverse voices in film and film scholarship!
To do general research on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), anti-racism, and other related topics in film, you will want to brainstorm keywords. Here are a few examples of search queries:
diversity AND Hollywood directors
Queer cinema
Me Too Movement and American Films
Lesbian Cinema History
Asian masculinity in film
Other keywords:
Diversity: equity, marginalized, inclusion,representation, underprivileged groups, minorities, anti-racism, racism, sexism, white supremacy, heteronormative, ableism, neurodiversity, neurodivergent, decolonization, cultural diversity, LGBTQ, gender, sexuality, etc.
Film: cinema, movies, Hollywood, directors, cast, crew, cinematography, documentaries, media, pop culture, etc.
