Diversity and inclusion fosters growth, possibilities and learning. “We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society —understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences, while pulling together for the common good,” said the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. So imagine a film festival devoted to celebrating diversity in front of and behind the camera.
Next month the Diversity and Inclusion Film Festival, (DIFF), will be held at Lincoln Center from November 8 to 10. The brainchild of producer Sola Fasehun, for years she dreamed of building a space for filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to have a safe and welcoming platform to showcase their work.
“With so much going on in the world and all the division, I wanted to create an event that brings people together from all walks of life through our shared love and appreciation of film and the arts,” says Fasehun who also founded the Distribution Collective, which provides diversity initiative consulting for entertainment and other organizations. “I believe there is room for all to thrive.”
Fasehun, who is a first generation American with Nigerian parents, remembers spending time as a child in Nigeria in the midst of political upheaval and sanctions. She found comfort in music and film. “I was writing songs and plays,” she says. “It was a way to express all the feelings I had and really pounded in me that the arts should exist wherever you are.”
With a goal to perform and direct, Fasehun graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Humanities and Arts degree. “But as a person of color, I didn’t see a lot of people on TV and film who looked like me doing the things I wanted to do,” says Fasehun.
She remembers going on auditions for limited roles. “This was before Shonda Rhimes, Tyler Perry and Mindy Kaling. I found that I was only allowed to do certain roles. I couldn’t be the doctor or hero who saves the day,” says Fasehun who became an agent, worked in sales and distribution and was mentored by legendary producer Michael Phillips. “I found it was important to go behind the scenes and create opportunities, not just for myself but for other people.”
With the Diversity and Inclusion Film Festival Fasehun aims to help give those opportunities. “Because of my gender and color of my skin I have not always been welcome in certain spaces,” she says. “As a way to support so many who have not felt welcome in spaces that should be for all, I created DIFF to support people from all walks of life.”
The Diversity and Inclusion Film Festival features a variety of visionary movies including Thunder Rolls! The World of Blind Baseball. The documentary tells the story about a blind Indiana baseball team. Using beep baseball the players work with audio cues and unique equipment.
“I didn’t know anything about beep baseball and Thunder Rolls! is an absolute joy. Darnell Booker and the Indy Thunder team are such inspiring people,” says Fasehun. “I’m so excited that DIFF can host the New York premiere of this film, introduce the sport and this story to an audience that will be in awe of such wonderful human strength and perseverance.”
Jeryl Brunner: Why is it so important to discover emerging storytellers?
Sola Fasehun: I remember starting out and wishing that I had a mentor who could give me advice to help navigate the industry. There was a time when I didn’t have the opportunities that I now have. I always knew that when the time came, I wanted to find a way to help other artists. I’ve been lucky and I’m so grateful to have met wonderful people in my career who saw something in me and gave me a chance, like Academy Award-winning producer Michael Phillips and Sundance director and head of public programming, Eugene Hernandez.
Brunner: In addition to Thunder Rolls! The World of Blind Baseball what are some other films playing at DIFF?
Fasehun: There’s the New York festival premiere of Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati, the New York premiere of Once Again (For the Very First Time) directed by Boaz Yakin, (Remember the Titans), special screenings of Frida directed by Carla Guttierez and the Academy Award-winning film, The Last Repair Shop, directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers.
Brunner: When you were growing up you loved performing and writing but didn’t see a lot of people who looked like you getting the kind of roles you wanted. How did that propel you to become a creator and make opportunities for others
Fasehun: It is so important for people to see something in themselves through the art and media that is in their life. I love and I’m grateful for my career but also knew that the career I chose is not easy. I believe that hard work and a positive outlook can help with all things.
There are things that I experienced that showed me that we still have a lot of work to do to support diversity and inclusion. These experiences led me to create DIFF to help support and encourage many other artists in entertainment. My experience with Michael Phillips inspired me to create my production company, Fasehun Films. I decided to take a chance and pursue more writing, producing, and representation jobs in entertainment so that I could create opportunities for others.
Brunner: When you heard “no,” how did you stay the course?
Fasehun: My parents’s story kept me going. My mom and dad came to the United States on their own to attend and graduate from university. They experienced discrimination through housing, jobs, but they always found a way to persevere, thrive, and help others through creating their own businesses.
I’m reminded of the Albert Einstein Quote, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” My parents have always been my role models and cheerleaders. They supported and encouraged me to reach for the stars even when you get “no” or when things become difficult. I’m so grateful they instilled in me a strong work ethic and a positive outlook.
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