WILL ROGERS MOTION PICTURE PIONEERS FOUNDATION PROFESSIONAL GROUP LAUNCHES DIVERSITY EFFORT
Film Row - an emerging professional group - launches LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advancement and Diversity) committee committed to empowering underrepresented minorities in the entertainment industry
LOS ANGELES – September 28, 2020 – The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation (WRMPPF) announced today the launch of Film Row LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advancement and Diversity), a committee dedicated to providing resources to encourage a more diverse and inclusive environment in the film industry. The committee is a major milestone for Film Row, considering the emerging professionals’ group itself just launched in the Spring of 2019.
The group hosted a virtual speaker series this past Thursday, which addressed fostering diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. The discussion was moderated by Heather Morgan, Vice President Content and Programming for Harkins Theatres, and featured panelists: Wendy Armitage, SVP, Marketing Clearances and Ratings, Sony Pictures, Kimberly Graham, Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Nielsen, Rolando Rodriguez, CEO & President, Marcus Theatres, and Todd Vradenburg, Executive Director, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.
More than 200 people registered for the inaugural event, and the feedback was encouraging.
Film Row LEAD is comprised of a diverse group of motion picture distribution and exhibition professionals committed to empowering underrepresented minorities in the entertainment industry through education and career development. The objective of Film Row LEAD is to expand the film community by offering workshops and giving professionals more exposure to studio executives, exhibition partners and vendors and thus having more potential applicants with a diverse background who can apply for positions throughout the entertainment industry.
The committee is chaired by Shelly Kratzer, a longtime member of the film industry with nearly two decades of theatrical film distribution experience. Kratzer and her team have devised a well-rounded approach that seeks to merge professional development, diversity and meaningful inclusion and community outreach. LEAD plans to offer various resources including, a speaker series, university partnerships, an internship program, a mentor program, and volunteer activities. "Here at Film Row LEAD, our goal is to ensure everyone has a seat at the table”, Kratzer said. “If that means building a bigger table, then that's exactly what we are here to do. We want everyone to have the same opportunities.”
Since its launch last year, Film Row has hosted several events including lunch and learns, social gatherings and volunteer service days – many of which have benefitted the Pioneers Assistance Fund (PAF). During these challenging times, Film Row creatively pivoted from in-person activities to an online trivia series which helped raise thousands of dollars for the PAF. “We are honored to support industry members in need through the Pioneers Assistance Fund COVID-19 Emergency Grant program,” said Melanie Valera, Vice President Theatrical Sales at Paramount Pictures Studios and President of Film Row. “To date, the program has spent $2.7 million and provided more than 8,000 emergency grants,” Valera continued. “We are grateful to supporters of Film Row and to all the members of our industry who have contributed to the Fund.”
About the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
Named after one of the greatest humanitarians, philanthropists and entertainers – Will Rogers – the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation perpetuates his legacy through the works of three programs, Brave Beginnings, the Pioneers Assistance Fund and the Will Rogers Institute.
A hospital created for Vaudevillians stricken with tuberculosis, the National Vaudeville Association Hospital was renamed the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital in 1936, as a tribute to Will Rogers. The hospital became a national training facility for doctors treating patients with tuberculosis, becoming known as the Will Rogers Institute. In 2002, the Will Rogers charity merged with the Foundation of Motion Picture Pioneers (FMPP) and became the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.
The Pioneers Assistance Fund (PAF) continues the mission of FMPP by helping individuals in the motion picture distribution and exhibition community who are encountering an illness, injury or life-changing event. Social workers provide confidential consultations and financial assistance on a short-term or long-term basis based on unique and individual needs.
The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation operates Brave Beginnings, PAF, and the Will Rogers Institute. To learn more, please call (888) 994-3863 or visit www.willrogersmotionpicture.org.