Jameela Jamil, Negin Salmasi and Cleopatra Coleman talk representation and diversity at FFFest

The lively panel was moderated by Vulture critic Emily Yoshida and also included casting director Sarah Finn, writer/director Ry-Russo Young and producer Negin Salmasi

By Ryan Aliapoulios

Though the debate about the importance of representation and diversity in film and television has always been around, and it has become even more prominent in recent years. Beyond the more obvious questions about equal opportunities for those who work in these industries, there are also abstract questions about what seeing a projection of yourself on the big screen does for you in your private life. More pointedly, what social effect does it have when misunderstood or marginalized identities are normalized by positive, diverse representations in our media?

While these questions may seem abstruse on the surface, they were brought to life in a lively discussion at the Female Filmmakers Festival in Los Angeles on October 13th. The panel was presented by Glossier and included a wide array of talented women from all sectors of the film industry.

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